‘American Idol’ reveals host, judges for Season 25
Ryan Seacrest and judges weigh in on ‘American Idol’ Season 25
“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan weigh in on a potential Season 25.
“American Idol” has secured its stars for Season 25.
Ryan Seacrest will reprise his hosting duties for a 25th straight season, and Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood will all return as judges, ABC confirmed on Sept. 24.
The news follows the network’s July 29 announcement that “Idol” would return for a 25th season.
“I’m so surprised that I’ve been able to keep this a secret,” Bryan said during his “Luke & Friends” show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where Underwood joined him on stage. “We’re coming back for the 25th season of ‘American Idol’!”
With Richie joining in on the announcement via a pre-recorded video that played in the background, Underwood confirmed Seacrest’s involvement in the upcoming season.
The reason for Richie’s virtual appearance was likely due to his recent heart procedure. The “Hello” singer, 77, experienced several health issues over the summer that resulted in three of his concerts with Earth, Wind & Fire being canceled.
One of the shows had previously been postponed due to drummer John Paris’ “medical emergency,” and two were pushed back after Richie appeared to experience dizziness onstage and stepped away to “rest and return to full health.”
The three tour stops were initially rescheduled for the end of September through early October but were ultimately canceled after Richie underwent a heart procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, as confirmed by his representative Sept. 22.
Why Carrie Underwood had ‘more fun’ during her second season as a judge
This is the 10th season for Richie and Bryan, who, alongside Katy Perry, joined “Idol” in 2018 during the series’ first season on ABC following a 14-year run on Fox. Underwood came on board in 2025 after Perry’s departure.
“10’s a good, nice, round number,” Bryan told USA TODAY at the May 11 finale taping. “We sit down to talk it out every year. We know the show grew [viewership]. … Socials were amazing. And that’s something that we can be proud of as being a judge on the show.”
He continued, “Ryan’s contribution through 24 years of it and the whole team behind the scenes, [there are] a lot of special people who make this thing happen.”
“It’s been wonderful,” Underwood said of her second year behind the desk. “I feel like 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 was a lot more comfortable. And we’ll just see what happens after that.”
When will ‘American Idol’ Season 25 premiere?
“American Idol” will return in 2027, though ABC has not announced a premiere date.
Episodes stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, and live show episodes will stream on Disney+.
Where is ‘American Idol’ filming after leaving LA?
Season 25 of ABC’s reality singing competition series is relocating from California to Georgia, production company Fremantle confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The show has been filmed at the Red Studios Hollywood lot in Los Angeles for more than two decades.
ABC has not explained its decision to move production across the country, and Fremantle declined to share any additional details.
Who won ‘American Idol’ Season 24?
“American Idol” Season 24 concluded on May 11, awarding a $250,000 prize and a recording contract to winner Hannah Harper, who beat finalists Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough.
“I’m a puddle right now,” Harper told USA TODAY an hour after her win. “All the sacrifices have been made [by my family] to make this happen. Had it not been for my husband … that poor man has sacrificed his entire life.”
She continued: “Every part of normalcy he had – to uproot life and bring our whole family here and live out of a hotel for two months – just so I could do this meant everything to me. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay him for that. He’s not the only one; my parents also. I just feel like my village is growing now.”
Harper is the first female country artist to win the show since Underwood in 2005.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
