American Idol will enter its 24th season in 2026, and ushering it in are Carrie Underwood , Luke Bryan , and Lionel Richie , who will return as judges. While Bryan and Richie have worked together as judges on the famed singing competition since 2018, Underwood just joined this year. She replaced Katy Perry , who left just ahead of Season 23. Per Variety , a recent Idol press release bared no mention of whether longtime host Ryan Seacrest would return.

The American Idol audition process will begin on Aug. 26, with candidates singing virtually for producers first. The next step would be in-person auditions across all 50 states and Washington. D.C.

Underwood herself is an American Idol alum, of course, having won Season Four of the show in 2005 and going on to be the bes

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