Carrie Underwood’s American Idol Return Confirmed for Season 24
Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan will return as judges for season 24 of American Idol, marking the show’s ninth season on ABC. If you somehow missed this update, don’t worry—because apparently, you *probably* need a refresher on what’s going on with the singing competition juggernaut.
Let me explain, but try to keep up: American Idol season 24 will premiere in 2026, and yes, the judging panel is staying largely the same. Underwood—who first won the show back in 2005—joined the panel last season and will return for another round. Richie and Bryan, meanwhile, have been fixtures since 2018, and apparently, ABC is happy with the chemistry.
Now, before you ask, no, Ryan Seacrest’s return as host hasn’t been officially confirmed. He recently took over hosting duties from Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, which might complicate his schedule. But hey, if you’re wondering when you can audition for the next season, virtual auditions kicked off August 26, 2024, and are open across all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. International hopefuls are also welcome to try their luck.
According to ABC, auditionees will get to perform face-to-face with a producer via virtual platforms. Open call dates are also available for those who prefer the traditional route. The show’s producers emphasized that this season will continue to spotlight top-tier talent.
As for Bryan, he was noncommittal about his future on the show earlier this year. In a chat with Taste of Country, he mentioned that his participation is usually a year-by-year decision. But clearly, he decided to stick around—at least for now.
Underwood, meanwhile, reflected on her full-circle journey from contestant to judge. Back in May, after season 23 winner Jamal Roberts was crowned, she told E! News that the caliber of talent was unmatched. “There was no way to go wrong tonight,” she said, praising the top 10 performers.
So, if you were hoping for a shake-up in the judging panel, looks like you’ll have to wait. But with the same familiar faces and a new wave of hopefuls lining up to audition, American Idol is clearly banking on continuity to keep viewers tuning in.
And yes, I know that was a lot to take in, but I’m glad we got through it together.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Taste of Country, ABC
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