AMERICAN IDOL 2027: ABC FINALLY REVEALS WHO’S COMING BACK FOR SEASON 25
For weeks, American Idol fans have been waiting for one big question to be answered: Who will be sitting behind the judges’ table when the show returns in 2027?
Now, the wait is over.
ABC has confirmed that Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will all return as judges for the upcoming 25th season of American Idol. And there’s another familiar face coming back as well — Ryan Seacrest will once again host the competition.
The announcement comes as American Idol prepares for a major milestone. Season 25 will mark the show’s 25th season overall and its 10th season on ABC, making the upcoming return an especially significant one for the long-running singing competition.
THE BIG REVEAL HAPPENED IN NASHVILLE
The new season’s lineup wasn’t revealed through a routine announcement.
Instead, the news came during Luke Bryan’s September 24 concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where Carrie Underwood joined him onstage.
Lionel Richie appeared through a video message, and the three stars shared the news that they would be returning together for another season.
For fans, it was a major confirmation after months of speculation about whether the judging panel might change.
And the announcement had an added layer of significance because Richie has recently been dealing with health issues.
LIONEL RICHIE IS COMING BACK
Richie’s return immediately caught fans’ attention.
The legendary singer recently underwent a procedure related to atrial fibrillation (AFib) after experiencing health problems that affected some of his scheduled performances. His representatives said the procedure went well and that he was doing well while recovering.
His appearance in the announcement video gave American Idol viewers a reassuring update while also confirming that he intends to return to the judges’ table for Season 25.
For Richie and Bryan, the upcoming season will also represent an impressive milestone: Season 25 will be their 10th season as judges on the ABC version of the show. Both joined when American Idol was revived by ABC in 2018.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S UNIQUE RETURN
Carrie Underwood’s connection to American Idol makes her return particularly special.
Long before she became a judge, Underwood was an Idol contestant herself.
She won Season 4 in 2005, launching a career that would eventually make her one of country music’s biggest stars.
Nearly two decades later, she returned to the franchise from the other side of the table, becoming a judge in 2025 after Katy Perry’s departure.
Now, Underwood is preparing for her third season as an American Idol judge — giving the upcoming season an interesting full-circle element.
She’ll once again be judging singers who are chasing the same dream she achieved years ago.
AND RYAN SEACREST IS BACK TOO
The familiar American Idol experience wouldn’t be quite the same without Ryan Seacrest.
Fortunately for longtime viewers, he isn’t going anywhere.
Seacrest will return as host for Season 25, continuing one of the longest-running connections to the show’s history. His return means viewers will once again have the familiar combination of Seacrest guiding the contestants while Underwood, Bryan and Richie decide who deserves to move forward.
A NEW SEASON — AND A NEW LOCATION
The landmark season will also bring another major change behind the scenes.
American Idol is moving production away from its longtime Los Angeles home and relocating to Georgia, with production expected in the Atlanta area.
That means Season 25 won’t simply be another season of the familiar show. Fans can expect a new production setting while the core on-camera team remains intact.
WHEN WILL AMERICAN IDOL RETURN?
ABC has confirmed that American Idol Season 25 will premiere in 2027, but an exact premiere date has not yet been announced. Auditions for the milestone season have already been underway.
For now, one thing is certain: when the lights come back on, viewers will see a very familiar group waiting for them.
Carrie Underwood. Luke Bryan. Lionel Richie. And Ryan Seacrest.
After all the speculation, the American Idol family is staying together for its landmark 25th season.
And if the show’s latest announcement is any indication, 2027 could be one of its biggest seasons yet.
