Will 'American Idol' judges Luke, Carrie, Lionel return? What they say
Now that Hannah Harper has been crowned the next "American Idol," what's next? Will Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan be back? Here's what they told USA TODAY.
KiMi Robinson"American Idol" has wrapped its 24th season with winner Hannah Harper. Though the stage lights are off and the cameras have stopped rolling, the work continues behind the scenes as the powers-that-be decide: Will the show come back for a 25th season, and with whom?
Though Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood have yet to start negotiations with "Idol" producers, they can weigh in on the possibility of returning to the competition show.
Season 4 winner Underwood, who is in her second season as a judge after replacing Katy Perry in 2025, says her sophomore year on "Idol" has been "wonderful."
"I feel like [in] my first season I was very much trying to find my place and figure out my footing as a judge. This season was a lot more fun because I felt a lot more comfortable," she tells USA TODAY. "We'll just see what happens after that. [The show has] been a blessing in my life."
This marked Richie and Bryan's ninth season, as they came on board along with Perry in 2018 when "Idol" moved from Fox to ABC.
"Ten's a good, nice, round number," Bryan says about the prospect of returning for a 10th season. But that's as much as he'll disclose for now. "We sit down and talk it out every year," he says.
"It's really special to have nine years under my belt, and I felt like I've learned so much about the American dream and how kids chase it and their ups and downs and struggles," Bryan adds. "But I'm honored to be there, and it's been a great year."
Will 'American Idol' return for Season 25?
Richie jokingly whips out the phrase he's known for saying multiple times each episode when he considers a possible return in 2027.
"If you all get together and vote," he says emphatically. "Just vote Luke, Carrie, Lionel, Ryan (Seacrest). Send your votes to ABC and say, 'We cannot watch this show without those four people.'"
Seacrest, who has been hosting the show since he crowned Kelly Clarkson the inaugural "Idol" winner in 2002, similarly doesn't hold a crystal ball showing "Idol's" future.
"I can't imagine there wouldn't be a Season 25 of 'American Idol," he says. "They haven’t told me that’s official yet, but that would be strange if we didn't get to 25 and stopped at 24. So I would be hopeful that it comes."
Disney, which owns ABC, has its upfronts presentation on Tuesday, May 12, and is expected to reveal which of the network's shows are being renewed for a new season.