American Idol is officially coming back for its milestone 25th season, but one of the biggest questions surrounding the beloved singing competition remains unanswered: Who will be sitting behind the judges’ table? While ABC has confirmed that the hit series will return in 2027 and has announced when auditions will begin, the network has not yet revealed whether Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will return for another season.
The renewal marks another major milestone for one of television’s longest-running talent competitions. Since debuting in 2002, American Idol has launched the careers of countless artists while continuing to attract millions of viewers through its blend of powerful auditions, emotional stories, and live performances. The upcoming Season 25 will also be the 10th season since ABC revived the series in 2018, underscoring the show’s enduring popularity.
Along with the renewal announcement, ABC confirmed that “Idol Across America” will return later this summer, giving aspiring singers across the country an opportunity to audition virtually before producers begin the next phase of the competition. The nationwide audition process is scheduled to begin in late August and continue through September as the search for the next American Idol officially gets underway.
Despite confirming the new season, ABC has remained silent on one topic fans care about most—the judging panel. No official announcement has been made regarding the return of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, or longtime host Ryan Seacrest. As a result, speculation has continued to grow across social media, with viewers wondering whether the current lineup will stay together for another year.
Carrie Underwood joined the judging panel after replacing Katy Perry and quickly became one of the season’s biggest talking points. As the show’s Season 4 champion, she brought a unique perspective to the role, having experienced the competition firsthand before building one of country music’s most successful careers. Her arrival also reunited the program with one of its most famous winners.
Although Underwood has not officially confirmed her return, she recently suggested she enjoyed her first season as a judge while avoiding a definitive answer about the future. Likewise, Luke Bryan has acknowledged that the judges’ contracts are typically negotiated one season at a time, explaining that decisions often aren’t finalized until much later in the production schedule.
Bryan has previously said he believes Underwood had a great experience during her first season and indicated that he would not be surprised to see her return. However, he also admitted he can never assume his own place on the panel is guaranteed because the network evaluates the judging lineup every year before making official announcements.
Lionel Richie finds himself in a similar position. Having served as a judge since ABC revived the series, Richie has become one of the program’s most recognizable faces. Yet, like his fellow judges, he has not publicly confirmed whether he has signed on for Season 25, leaving fans waiting for an official decision from the network.
Even with uncertainty surrounding the judges, excitement is already building for the landmark season. Producers are expected to once again search for singers from every corner of the country, with virtual auditions providing hopeful contestants an accessible first step toward appearing on national television. The format that has helped discover stars for more than two decades remains largely unchanged, even as the show continues to evolve.
Many fans have expressed hope that the current judging trio will remain intact. Viewers praised the chemistry between Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie throughout the most recent season, noting the balance of constructive criticism, encouragement, and industry experience each brought to the competition. While online speculation continues, no changes have been confirmed by ABC.
For now, the biggest announcement is clear: American Idol Season 25 is officially happening. The audition process is about to begin, another group of aspiring artists will soon compete for music’s biggest opportunity, and fans can look forward to a milestone season. Until ABC makes its next announcement, however, the future of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Ryan Seacrest remains one of the show’s biggest unanswered questions
