Josh Groban Shares the Heart Behind Mentoring on ‘American Idol’
So, let’s talk about Josh Groban and his recent turn as a mentor on American Idol — season 23, to be exact. I mean, is there anything this guy can’t do? From opera-pop powerhouse to Broadway star to now shaping the next generation of talent, Groban is clearly all in. And when he sat down recently to talk about his experience on Idol , you could tell this wasn’t just another gig. It was personal.
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Josh joined the show not because it was in sunny Hawaii (though that certainly doesn’t hurt), but because he genuinely cares about helping young artists navigate the sometimes chaotic world of music. He said yes before even knowing where it was filming — that's how passionate he is about mentoring. And that passion shows in every word he shares. He talked about how his favorite part of having a platform like this is being able to offer advice that might help these singers avoid the hard lessons he had to learn on his own journey.
And don’t let the glossy production fool you — behind the cameras, Josh says there’s real heart. He’s there, working alongside fellow mentor Jelly Roll, having deep conversations about what these contestants need to succeed not just in the show, but in life. According to him, they’re not throwing out generic critiques for TV. These are thoughtful, lived-in notes from people who have been there . It's about building confidence that’ll stay with these young artists long after the final notes are sung.
Josh also reflected on the importance of his own mentors — not just big names like David Foster, but the teachers back in junior high and high school who saw something in him when he felt unsure about himself. Those choir teachers, he says, gave him a place to belong. And that same sense of belonging is what he's trying to pass on now.
It’s not lost on him how full-circle this all is. He remembers watching American Idol when it first started, marveling at all the hopeful singers — many of them his age at the time — just putting it all on the line. And now, he’s the one offering guidance, empathy, and encouragement to artists stepping into the spotlight for the first time.
Whether these contestants go on to become superstars or take different paths, Josh wants to make sure they carry something valuable from this experience. Not just a vocal tip or performance note — but a sense of confidence and worth. That’s what truly matters to him.
And honestly? That’s what makes him more than a mentor. That makes him a real artist with heart.
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