American Idol dedicates season premiere to Robin Kaye, who died in July 2025

American Idol opened its season 24 premiere with a dedication to longtime music supervisor Robin Kaye; authorities arrested a suspect last year who has since been declared unfit to stand trial.

American Idol opened the season 24 premiere with a dedication to Robin Kaye, a music supervisor who worked with the show for many years. The dedication card appeared at the start of the episode and included a photograph and a message honoring Kaye. Kaye and her husband were found dead at their home in Encino, California, in July 2025. Authorities arrested a suspect and charged him in the case. Key details: - The season premiere included a dedication that read it was "Dedicated to Robin Kaye. 'We'll save you a seat.'" - Robin Kaye had worked on American Idol on and off since its debut in 2002 and was described by the show as a long-standing part of the Idol team. - Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were found dead in July 2025; a suspect, Raymond Boodarian, was arrested and charged with murder and residential burglary. - In November, a judge ruled the suspect not presently competent to stand trial and ordered transfer to a state facility for psychiatric treatment aimed at restoration. Summary: The show used its season premiere to publicly acknowledge Kaye's contributions and to dedicate the season to her memory. Legal proceedings in the case are paused after a judge found the accused unfit to stand trial and ordered treatment at a state facility. Undetermined at this time.