“American Idol” is preparing for its landmark 25th season, and the familiar judging trio of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood is expected to remain at the center of the competition when it returns in 2027.
The lineup has drawn particular attention because Richie’s future had recently become a question following health concerns. However, recent comments from longtime host Ryan Seacrest strongly indicated that Richie is still part of the plans alongside Bryan and Underwood.
While discussing the show’s upcoming production move, Seacrest specifically talked about himself and Richie traveling back and forth while noting that the new location would be more convenient for Bryan and Underwood. His comments were widely interpreted as confirmation that the same group intends to return.
Richie has been one of the defining faces of the ABC era of “American Idol.” He and Bryan joined the judging panel when the competition returned in 2018, giving them nearly a decade of experience evaluating contestants together.
Underwood is the newest member of the trio. The Season 4 “American Idol” champion returned to the show as a judge after Katy Perry’s departure, creating the unusual situation of a former winner now helping decide which contestants could follow the same path she once did.
There had been added uncertainty surrounding Richie after his recent health issues. Earlier reports questioned whether those concerns might affect his ability to commit to another demanding season, particularly with production undergoing significant changes.
For now, though, there has been no announcement that Richie is leaving. Seacrest’s latest remarks instead suggest that Richie remains involved in the upcoming season, although ABC’s earlier Season 25 renewal announcement said additional details about the host and judging panel would come later.
Season 25 will also bring one of the biggest behind-the-scenes changes in “American Idol” history. Production is moving from its longtime Los Angeles home to the Atlanta area in Georgia.
That change could actually make life easier for part of the cast. Bryan is originally from Georgia and Underwood lives in Tennessee, while Seacrest is also a Georgia native. Richie and Seacrest are expected to have considerably more traveling between Georgia and their West Coast commitments.
The famous “Hollywood” portion of the competition had already started changing before the relocation. During Season 24, contestants remained in Nashville for the newly named Music City Takeover rather than traveling to Hollywood for the traditional Hollywood Week.
Auditions for Season 25 are already underway through “Idol Across America,” with singers getting opportunities to audition virtually for producers before potentially advancing to the celebrity judges. The milestone season is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
If the expected lineup remains intact, Season 25 will therefore feature another year of Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, with Ryan Seacrest continuing as the familiar face guiding contestants through the competition. Recent reporting supports that expectation, though the network’s formal cast confirmation remains the key final step.
For Richie in particular, that would answer one of the biggest questions surrounding the upcoming season. After uncertainty about whether his recent health concerns could affect his future on the show, the latest signs point toward the 77-year-old music legend returning to his familiar seat as “American Idol” begins its milestone 25th chapter.
