Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan have received a return ticket to Hollywood.
The American Idol trio will be back as judges for the singing competition series’ ninth season on ABC (season 24 overall), the network announced Aug. 25.
Underwood—who won season four in 2005—made her debut as a judge last season, while Richie and Bryan have been mainstays since 2018.
ABC has yet to confirm if longtime host Ryan Seacrest will return after he recently took over hosting duties from Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune.
And while the new season won’t premiere until next year, season nine’s “Idol Across America” virtual auditions kick off Aug. 26 taking place across all 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C.
“Those auditioning will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an American Idol producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions,” according to ABC. “Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.”
After season eight concluded earlier this year, Bryan hinted he was debating whether or not he’d be back to help find America’s next music superstar.
“Idol is kind of a year-by-year, ‘Do we do it or not?'” the “Country Girl” singer told Taste of Country last month. “We’ll see what happens.”
However, Bryan only had kind words to say about working with his fellow season eight judges.
“Last year was really, really incredible with Carrie and Lionel and Ryan,” he continued. “The main thing is just, have fun with American Idol and have fun with the [contestants].”
And after Jamal Roberts was crowned season 23 winner in May, Underwood reflected on her full-circle moment returning to the show 20 years after winning.
“There was no way to go wrong tonight,” the “Jesus Take the Wheel” singer told E! News backstage after the finale. “The top 10 performing tonight were all incredible. Like, there’s nothing else on TV that is like the caliber of artists that we had compiled here tonight.”
American Idol returns in 2026. In the meantime, keep reading to look back at Underwood’s 20-year journey from Idol winner to judge.
