‘American Idol’ Season 24 Judges Revealed: Who’s Returning?
American Idol is confirmed to be returning for Season 24 in 2026, and ABC has finally revealed which three superstars will be sitting behind the judges’ table this time around. As auditions prepare to kick off this fall, the public finally knows who will be judging the singing competition next year.
The Season 24 judges are Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood! Yes, the same panel from Season is returning for another go, marking Bryan and Richie’s ninth season as judges and Underwood’s second.
There have been a number of judges on American Idol over the years, but when the show moved to ABC in 2018, Katy Perry, Bryan, and Richie were behind the desk for seven seasons straight. Bryan and Richie returned for Season 23 in 2025, but after Perry’s departure, Underwood joined the panel.
As a former American Idol winner herself, Underwood brought insight to the show like never before. Plus, there was the nostalgia factor all season long.
“Idol is kind of a year-by-year, ‘Do we do it or not?’” Bryan recently admitted to Taste of Country Nights. He also added, “We’ll see what happens,” when asked about his future with the program. When it came to Underwood, though, he teased, “My prediction would be highly favorable [that she’ll return].”
Perry’s decision to leave the show came so she could focus on her music career. After her exit, she released her album 143 in 2024 and has been on her Lifetimes tour since April. The tour continues until December and includes international dates around the world. Amid the busy schedule, Perry also recently ended her engagement to Orlando Bloom, with whom she shares 5-year-old daughter Daisy.
A return to Idol in the future isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the “Teenage Dream” singer, though. “Maybe I’ll come back if they’ll have me one day,” she said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
What are your thoughts on the judges’ panel for Season 24? Will you be tuning in next year? Let us know in the comments section below.
American Idol, Season 24 Premiere, 2026, ABC
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O
I think its great all the judges are returning! They were fantastic last year! Carrie Underwood is a great addition to the show! She has been in their place! She is helpful to the contestants with her suggestions to help them improve themselves! Well, they all are! I can't wait!
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O
Cant stand Underwood.
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P
I don’t care for Carrie, and think that having 2 country music singers puts the balance out of whack.
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R
Totally agree.
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O
Carrie's praise of the contestants who chose to sing religious songs for what she saw as their "courage" sent a message to all the contestants that they would be judged for more than their artistry.
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R
You are spot on.
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R
Not happy about Carrie. She changed the trajectory of the show. I think we need at least one judge to be from the pop music genre.
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C
Love Carrie on the show. Katey Perry was to drama and childish
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C
Didn't watch last year because of Carrie & won't watch this year because of her. Not that anyone cares but you asked for people to leave a comment. As someone else said we need a pop singer in her spot.
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B
I like Carrie but not as a judge! She lacks enthusiasm! She is a bit boring
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G
I'm not sure if I'll be watching American Idol, I love all Judges, but one thing that got me was, Carrie always said " I Feel Like" with that being said, I'll probably watch the first show, then I'll make my decision. Hoping Carrie doesn't say, I Feel Like.
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I wont watch as long as Carrie is on the show. Too many stories of her treating fans like crap IRL. I dont follow celebs like JLo who trwat everyday people like crap when we are who made them by buying tickets and albums and I voted for Carrie to win. So disappointed in what a crap human she turned out to be!
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Don't plan to watch. We stopped watching last year because of Carrie. Don't like her at all as a judge.
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E
To be honest American Idol is not how it use be cough Simon, Paula and Randy. I mean no offense to Lionel Richie but if Macy Gray audition for American Idol they've would of given her a gold ticket to go thought. Simon wouldn't have let her sing the first note. Even if she hasn't finished or haven't even started yet Siomon would of said your finished or you've started it sounded terrible next. I feel they've let anyone in and put them though I mean I wonder what are they looking for a Whitney Houston a Toni Braxton or Luther Vandross, Kevon Edmonds or somebody some of the ones they've picked can't really sing. Honestly I don't know what happened but what happened to Jennifer Lopez why isn't back on American Idol? To be honest American needs Another Simon, Paula and a Randy on the show that way more people would want to tune in the watch. And two they need another R&B singer other than Lionel Richie, like I don't know like Toni Braxton, Babyface,Gladys Knight that would be better something on the Voice more R&B singers as judges
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Carrie is bland for the show. There are so many great people to be judges and they brought her back...sigh
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