American Idol is officially coming back in 2027, and fans no longer have to wonder whether another shake-up is coming to the judges’ table.
ABC has confirmed that Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood will all return for Season 25, keeping the same judging lineup together for another year. Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.
The announcement is especially significant because Season 25 will be a major milestone for the singing competition, which originally premiered in 2002 and has now survived multiple eras, networks and judging-panel changes.
ABC renewed the series for its 25th season in July 2026, with auditions beginning shortly afterward. The new season is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
But confirmation of the judges didn’t arrive through an ordinary press release.
Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood revealed the news during Bryan’s September 24 concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, turning the announcement into a surprise moment for the crowd.
Lionel Richie wasn’t physically onstage with them, but he appeared through a video message and joined his fellow judges in confirming that the trio would reunite for another season.
For Luke and Lionel, Season 25 will mark another major milestone of its own.
Both men joined American Idol when the competition returned on ABC in 2018, and the upcoming season will be their 10th season as judges on the revived version of the show.
Carrie’s story with American Idol is very different.
She originally entered the franchise as a contestant and won Season 4 in 2005, becoming one of the biggest stars ever produced by the competition.
Two decades later, Carrie returned to the same show as a judge, replacing Katy Perry beginning with the 2025 season.
Her return in 2027 means viewers will once again have an Idol champion sitting at the judges’ table and evaluating contestants going through the same competition that launched her own career.
Ryan Seacrest is staying too, continuing an extraordinary run as the familiar face connecting almost every era of the series. ABC lists him as both host and producer for the upcoming season.
The decision also means there will be no change to the main judging panel after the latest season, despite the constant speculation that often surrounds coaching and judging lineups on major singing competitions.
Lionel’s return drew particular attention because the announcement came while he was recovering from recent health issues. His return was confirmed publicly through the video appearance rather than left uncertain heading into production.
So when American Idol returns in 2027, viewers will see a very familiar group waiting behind the desk: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest once again guiding the competition through its landmark 25th season.
