American Idol 2026 Honors Music Supervisor Robin Kaye After Tragic Murder
By Paulette Cohn, Parade – January 27, 2026
ABC’s “American Idol” Season 24 opens with a heartfelt dedication to late music supervisor Robin Kaye.
When American Idol premiered its ninth season on ABC (Season 24 overall), it honored former music supervisor Robin Kaye, who tragically lost her life along with her husband, Tom DeLuca, in July 2025. The opening title card of the season reads:
“Season 24 of American Idol: Dedicated to Robin Kaye – ‘We’ll save you a seat.’”
Who Was Robin Kaye?
Robin Kaye was a pivotal figure behind the scenes of American Idol, responsible for securing song licenses for contestants. With a career spanning major record labels such as MTM, MCA, and PolyGram, Kaye joined American Idol in 2009 and contributed to over 300 episodes.
She was known for her innovative work, including securing permission for Adam Lambert to cover Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” during Season 8, a move that highlighted her skill in navigating music licensing and artist approvals.
The Tragic Circumstances of Her Death
Kaye and her husband were allegedly murdered in their Encino home by 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian. Investigators reported that the killings were random, occurring after Boodarian allegedly entered their home through an unlocked door while the couple was out shopping. A violent struggle ensued when they returned, ending in their deaths.
Boodarian was charged with two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary, but in November 2025, he was deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial and committed to a state hospital.
American Idol’s Tribute
At the time of her death, American Idol released a statement mourning Kaye:
“Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her… Robin will remain in our hearts forever.”
Artists who worked closely with Kaye, including Danny Gokey, praised her dedication and kindness, emphasizing her commitment to helping contestants achieve their musical visions.
American Idol Season 24 continues to honor Robin Kaye’s legacy as the show airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.