“This season is for someone who never stood in the spotlight — but shaped everything behind it.” American Idol opened its Season 24 premiere with a quiet, heartbreaking tribute to Robin Kaye, the show’s longtime music supervisor who helped define its sound for nearly 15 seasons. For years, she was the unseen force behind countless performances — choosing the songs, guiding the moments, and helping contestants find their voices. In July, Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, were found deceased in their Los Angeles home, a loss that sent shockwaves through the Idol family. On Monday night, the show paused to honor her legacy — not with spectacle, but with gratitude.
American Idol Supervisor Robin Kaye Found Dead In Los Angeles Home
On July 14, 2025, Robin Kaye, a renowned music supervisor who worked on American Idol for around 15 seasons and won multiple Guild of Music Supervisors Awards, was found shot to death in her home in Encino, Los Angeles.
Kaye’s husband, Thomas Deluca, a musician and songwriter who wrote for singers including Kid Rock and Meredith Brooks, was also discovered dead.
The couple was found during a welfare check by the LAPD after family and friends hadn’t heard from them in several days.
Details Surrounding Kaye’s Tragic Murder
Surveillance video from the American Idol executive’s home revealed that the suspected burglar-turned-killer was seen jumping a fence and entering the home through an unlocked sliding glass door.
Kaye and Deluca arrived home about 30 minutes later. Police reportedly responded to the home after receiving calls about a potentially armed man jumping fences, but left when no one answered and no signs of forced entry were immediately visible.
With the surveillance video and fingerprints left behind at the scene, police were able to identify the suspect as 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian in connection with the murders.
American Idol Community Mourns Kaye’s Loss
Kaye served as music supervisor for nearly 300 episodes of American Idol and was beloved by the entire community. The show released a statement at the time of her murder mourning Kaye.
“We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom’s, passing,” a spokesperson for the show told Deadline. “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 and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
As Season 24 of Idol is set to premiere, the show announced it would be dedicated to Kaye. In a new promotional video posted to Instagram on Monday (January 26), filmed at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenessee, Idol opened with a picture of the late music producer, sharing that they would “save” her a seat.
While no further details were given as to what that would entail, the promo walked through the different winners throughout the years, referring to this season as American Idol university.
Judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie have all returned, as well as longtime host Ryan Seacrest.
American Idol airs every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Hulu the next day.
