UPDATE: Derek Hough is ready to bring the magic to American Idol.
E! News has learned that Hough will step in for Ben Platt as the Disney Night mentor for the May 1 episode. While Platt is no longer able to participate in the upcoming episode, he is now slated to perform on the May 22 finale. So fans of Platt can breathe a sigh of relief.
Hough is no stranger to the house of Mouse, as the Dancing With the Stars alum starred in 2020’s The Disney Family Singalong and The Disney Holiday Singalong.
For a peek at Hough’s Disneyland appearance, be sure to scroll on!
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Ben Platt is headed for the wonderful world of American Idol!
The Dear Evan Hansen star “will be found” as a mentor during the show’s Disney Night, E! News can exclusively reveal. The episode airs May 1 on ABC.
The Tony winner will mentor the contestants from Disneyland while providing advice on everything from vocals to stage presence.
Platt became the youngest solo recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical in 2017 when he won for Dear Evan Hansen at the age of 23. He also starred in the film version of the musical in 2021. His other musical theater credits include The Book of Mormon and Caroline, or Change.
He released his second studio album Reverie in 2021.
Platt is no stranger to Disney, either. In 2020, he appeared on the ABC special The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II and performed a duet of “A Whole New World” alongside Idina Menzel.