HOT FROM FOX...

"AMERICAN IDOL" AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PARTNER TO WRAP UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAPPING IN MALLS AROUND THE COUNTRY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS to be on Location Collecting Donations for Hurricane Sandy Relief; Former IDOLS to Make Appearances

Season 12 of AMERICAN IDOL Debuts Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 17 on FOX

AMERICAN IDOL is ringing in the holiday season with a gift just for you! From Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Monday, Dec. 24, AMERICAN IDOL will provide complimentary gift wrapping in local shopping centers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. At the festive stations, shoppers can have their purchases wrapped in exclusive IDOL-themed paper and watch clips and exclusive AMERICAN IDOL content. Former IDOL contestants, including Bo Bice, Brooke White and Anthony Fedorov, among others, will stop by the gift wrapping stations to spread some holiday cheer (appearance schedules to be announced).

In the spirit of the season, The American Red Cross will be on-site in New York, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta to collect donations for Hurricane Sandy relief. At the wrapping stations, American Red Cross representatives will be available to collect cash donations, but also to help shoppers donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999. "The American Red Cross is very grateful to FOX and AMERICAN IDOL for their support as we work to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Sandy," said Jennifer Niyangoda, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Program at The American Red Cross. "Disaster recovery can seem overwhelming and we appreciate all the support by the American people to help us reach those who need us most."

Shoppers can find these festive AMERICAN IDOL gift wrapping stations at the following times and locations:

NEW YORK: The Westchester - 125 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 Hours: Dec. 18-23: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Dec. 24: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

LOS ANGELES: The Beverly Center - 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 Hours: Dec. 18-23: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Dec. 24: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

CHICAGO: Orland Square - 288 Orland Square Dr., Orland Park, IL 60462 Hours: Dec. 18-23: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Dec. 24: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

DALLAS: Grapevine Mills - 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Grapevine, TX 76051 Hours: Dec. 18-23: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Dec. 24: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

ATLANTA: Lenox Square - 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 Hours: Dec. 18-23: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Dec. 24: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

AMERICAN IDOL returns for a remarkable 12th season with the two-night season premiere Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Hosted by the inimitable Ryan Seacrest, AMERICAN IDOL's new judging panel includes returning judge Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning producer whose expertise and beloved persona have been instrumental in discovering IDOL talent from the beginning, as well as three new judges: global superstar and the best-selling female recording artist of all time Mariah Carey; quadruple-platinum singer, songwriter, rapper and fashion icon Nicki Minaj; and Keith Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 15 million albums.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group, and FremantleMedia North America. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment. Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, FremantleMedia North America and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions also serve as executive producers. "Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #idol.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.