‘American Idol’ Announces Major Voting Update for Season 24

We’re just days away from Season 24 of American Idol premiering, and new updates about what to expect this season are rolling in. Since the 24th season was confirmed back in May 2025, fans have been anxiously waiting for months for new episodes, and we have all the scoop on what to expect when the singing competition returns.

This year, there will be a new way for viewers to vote for their favorite artists, as well as some changes to the grueling Hollywood Week, and even a new round that will come after Hollywood Week ends. Scroll down for everything to know!

When does American Idol Season 24 premiere?

Season 24 of American Idol premieres on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8/7c. This is an earlier start to the season than other recent years, which began at the end of February or early March. It’s also a new day for Idol, which previously aired on Sundays on ABC.

Previously, Seasons 16, 17, and 23 began in early March, while Seasons 18 to 22 all premiered in February.

Who are the American Idol Season 24 judges?

The judges were announced on August 25. For the second year in a row, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie will be on the panel. They shared the news with a video on social media that showed them preparing to go “back to school” at Idol University.

“Class is back in session,” Bryan says, as the cameras cut to Underwood packing lunches. “And this year,” she adds, “we’re majoring in music as we help launch your dreams.” While holding a thermos of coffee, Richie says, “Hello! I’m your professor of positivity.”

Bryan then dubs himself the “professor of fun,” noting that he’s “serious … but FUN,” and Underwood references one of her song titles by adding, “Sign up for my class, you’ll be blown away.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by American Idol (@americanidol)

Bryan and Richie have been judging the show since it first began airing on ABC in 2018. Katy Perry previously served as a judge for seven seasons before she exited and was replaced by Underwood for Season 23.

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest has been hosting the show since it first premiered in 2002. And, yes, he’ll be back for Season 24!

How can you vote for American Idol Season 24?

While the first several weeks of the show are pre-taped episodes from earlier rounds of competition, the viewers get to get in on the fun when the live shows start later in the season. As usual, texting and voting on the American Idol app will be available, but Season 24 will also implement voting on social media.

The specifics of how this will work are still being worked out, but showrunner Megan Michaels Wolfick told Deadline, “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time. If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting. It could tip the scale. Trends are always different.”

When were the American Idol Season 24 auditions?

Along with the judges reveal, ABC also announced how aspiring singers were able to audition for the show with the “Idol Across America” live virtual auditions. The auditions kicked off on Tuesday, August 26, and continued across all 50 states and Washington D.C. throughout the rest of August and most of September.

Related

‘American Idol’s John Foster Shares ‘Rare’ Video Without His Cowboy Hat

“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,” a press release revealed. “Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.”

From there, a select few were chosen to actually sing in front of the judges. The in-person auditions occurred in November 2025 at Belmont University in Tennessee, per Deadline. It was the first time auditions only took place at one location.

Where is Hollywood Week on American Idol Season 24?

Those who made it through the audition process moved on to Hollywood Week, and for the first time ever, this took place in Nashville instead of Los Angeles.

While Hollywood Week used to be a grueling week of competition with several rounds and cuts, this year, Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover, will just be one round and feature the “biggest Hollywood Week cut in Idol history,” per a press release.

From there, those who move on headed to Hawaii, with a new round of competition called the Ohana Round kicking things off at the Aulani. The Top 30 got to perform in the Ohana Round in front of a group of “industry tastemakers,” including artists Loren Gray, Anthony Gargiula, Cheryl Porter, and Kelly Sutton, social media stars Kaniyia Brown, Terry McCaskill, and Evan Ross Katz, and Rolling Stone editor Shirley Halperin, as well as their fellow finalists, two family members, and friends.

The Top 30 was split into three groups, with the industry tastemakers choosing their favorites from each group to earn a platinum ticket. Ten artists were eliminated in the Ohana Round, but we won’t know who until the episodes air.

American Idol, Season 24 Premiere, Monday, January 26, 2026, 8/7c, ABC