The competition for the next "American Idol" begins next week as Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson return to judge the new auditions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The search for the next singing sensation begins anew when "American Idol" returns for its sixth season on Tuesday, Jan. 16, with a two-hour airing of auditions from Minneapolis, MN at 8 p.m. on FOX, followed by the best and worst from Seattle, WA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Then it will be up to America to decide who moves forward in the competition. The first performance show featuring the Top 12 male singers will air Tuesday, Feb. 20.

"You will see some of the most aggressive contestants," says series host RYAN SEACREST. "You will see certainly an individual sport when you see the contestants auditioning for 'American Idol.' The contestants that came out to audition came out to win, and they will let nothing stand in their way."

Also returning are SIMON COWELL, PAULA ABDUL and RANDY JACKSON.