American Idol is probably not returning earlier than the top of the 2025 TV schedule as the brand new season will probably be premiering in 2026, however followers are already speculating who might be a part of the judges’ panel. The most recent season of the long-running singing competitors collection noticed returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Idol winner Carrie Underwood becoming a member of the enjoyable. There have been rumors that Underwood could be leaving the present already, and Bryan can be a part of these rumors, however the latter is weighing in on his future on American Idol.
Bryan has been a decide on Idol for the reason that present was revived in 2018, together with Richie. Katy Perry, who additionally had been on for the reason that revival, exited in 2024 to focus extra on her music and was changed by Underwood. Whereas it’s unknown who will probably be returning and if anybody will probably be leaving, Bryan informed Style of Nation that Underwood’s first season on the opposite facet of the desk was successful:
[She] actually loved it. I do know she had a good time within the function.
Contemplating Underwood almost stop American Idol throughout her season as a competitor earlier than she received the entire thing after which got here again as a decide 20 years later, she is a strolling advert for the way your life can change due to the present. She’s one of the well-known Idol contestants, and it was so nice seeing her as a decide this previous season, realizing what these contestants are going by means of. Regardless of the rumors, Bryan shared his prediction on Underwood returning, they usually’re fairly good:
My prediction could be extremely favorable.
It may be assumed that American Idol will probably be going out on the highway quickly to start auditions for the subsequent season, that means that the judges might be introduced any day now. Whether or not or not Underwood is amongst them is unknown, and it’s additionally unknown if Bryan will probably be returning. As of the time of the interview, even he did not know:
Idol is sort of a year-by-year, ‘Can we do it or not?’
As beforehand talked about, the nation star has been on Idol for the reason that present was revived, however he appears to be having a superb time with it; in any other case, he certainly wouldn’t proceed to do it. Whereas Bryan stays busy together with his music and his touring, he revealed how a lot enjoyable he had final season together with his fellow judges regardless of the reported feud with Richie:
Final 12 months was actually, actually unbelievable with Carrie and Lionel and Ryan [Seacrest]. And the primary factor is simply, have enjoyable with American Idol and have enjoyable with the youngsters [contestants].
At this level, it’s actually anybody’s guess as to who will return. Despite the fact that Luke Bryan has a good time on the present, it’s arduous to inform if he will probably be as much as returning, in addition to Carrie Underwood. There’s no phrase on Lionel Richie excited about leaving, so he’s in all probability secure. However as for Bryan, all followers actually must do is wait and see:
We’ll see what occurs.
In fact, American Idol has switched up the judges’ panel over the course of its whole run, so it wouldn’t be shocking if that had been to occur once more. However the wait will simply must proceed till an official announcement is made.