'American Idol' surprises with Brad Paisley, TikTok star's proposal

"American Idol" is doling out the first golden tickets to its newest class of competitors on Season 24.

With the season premiere on Monday, Jan. 26, auditions are underway as "Idol" veterans Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and 2005 winner Carrie Underwood, entering her second season as a judge, size up singers from across the country for star potential.

The "Idol" class of 2026, born between 1996 and 2010, so far includes voices they "have not heard" before like Maryland dementia care facility employee Brooks Rosser, who performed Joshua Stone's "Your Place At My Place" despite having "no experience" playing for crowds, and college student Jesse Findling, who discovered his love for singing due to his stutter and earned a standing ovation for his take on Benson Boone's "In The Stars."

Amid the typical mix of heartstring-tugging stories interspersed with oddball performances, the episode had a bittersweet undertone as it was bookended by in memoriam tributes.

The premiere began with a tribute to longtime music supervisor Robin Kaye, who was killed over the summer, and closed with a remembrance for 13-year-old Aubreigh Paige Wyatt, who died by suicide in 2023 and inspired golden ticket winner Khloe Grace's original song "Forever 13."

Highlights included a cameo by country superstar Brad Paisley, appearances by recent "Idol" alumni and a major reveal of a TikTok star, who used the stage to pop a very important question.

Brad Paisley helps prank Carrie Underwood

Switching things up halfway through the episode, "Whiskey Lullaby" singer Brad Paisley crashes "Idol" "to ruin this whole show." The segue there, you might ask? Well, the auditions are being held in the Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Ballroom at Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.

He's going to make "Luke say ridiculously awkward stuff" to Dylan Holmes, a fake auditioner. With Paisley in his ear, Bryan rudely interrupts Dylan to disparage Michigan and Illinois and whispers to Underwood about bench pressing.

"What is happening?" Underwood says. "You can only tour in 48 states now. Did you go take shots during your bathroom break?"

After Paisley is done with the stunt and reveals himself, the "Before He Cheats" singer delivers a zinger: "I didn't think anything was wrong" with Bryan, she told the crew.

Past 'American Idol' stars Breanna Nix, Thunderstorm Artis pop in for auditions

After joking that 15-year-old Tate Emmons was actually her son Emerson, who'd magically aged a decade since last season, 2025 Top 3 finalist Breanna Nix advocated for the high schooler (whose vocal coach is Nix's uncle) to move forward in the competition.

Unfortunately, despite impressive guitar work with Brandon Lake's "Hard Fought Hallelujah," Bryan said it was "too soon" for Tate to be thrown into the competition.

Later, after Brooks Rosser (literally) wowed the judges with his "one of one" voice, the cameras panned to Top 5 finalist Thunderstorm Artis sitting among the production crew in the back of the room. "Your voice is crazy. I’m obsessed, brother," Artis said.

TikTok famous shower singer Bryant Thomas makes TV debut

If you've seen Alyona's TikToks and Reels (@bryant.thomas.band) spotlighting her boyfriend as he lets his vocal prowess loose in the shower while she gets ready for the day, you might have been on the edge of your seat waiting for the reveal of who, exactly, Bryant Thomas is.

Well, the "secret shower singer" – who actually has a bona fide career as a performer who very much does show his face – is a 26-year-old from Mobile, Alabama. He grew up singing in church and is milking this shower singing stunt for all its worth, beginning his rendition of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" while he's obscured behind a column.

The man behind the raspy, full-bodied voice emerges in front of the judges as the song builds to a dramatic climax, with the singer appropriately singing, "Take a look at me now." He's sporting a mullet, a full beard and nearly opaque aviators that hide his piercing light blue eyes.

"Your voice is outrageous," Underwood compliments, while Richie declares Bryant has "star power vocals."

Three yeses later and with loved ones surrounding him, Bryant gets down on one knee to declare to Alyona that "My journey started with you, and it’s going to end with you."

"How did you sing knowing you were going to do that?" Luke Bryan asks as Bryant leaves his audition with not only a golden ticket to Hollywood Week but also a fiancée.

How to watch 'American Idol' 2026

"American Idol airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.