Thisss… is awkward.
On Monday, American Idol announced that three-fourths of its on-screen talent would be returning for Season 24, which will air in early 2026. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie are all back at the judges’ table and ready for what they’re dubbing “Idol University.” But what about Ryan Seacrest?
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The host, a mainstay since Season 1 in 2002, was conspicuously missing from the official announcement (watch below). Gold Derby has reached out to Disney and ABC for comment.
Seacrest has been keeping busy in the off-season by hosting the game show Wheel of Fortune and his syndicated radio program, On Air With Ryan Seacrest. He is a 14-time Emmy nominee for hosting and producing American Idol and for producing Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution; he won for the latter in 2010.
Both Bryan and Richie have been with American Idol since Season 16, when it officially moved to ABC in 2018. Season 24 will mark their ninth seasons as judges.
Underwood won Season 4 in 2005 as a contestant, and joined as a judge beginning in Season 23, which aired last year. She replaced Katy Perry on the dais.
“Carrie has followed the show since she was on it 20 years ago, and basically she’s always been such a fan,” showrunner Megan Wolflick tells Gold Derby. “She’s mentored along the way, and we’ve always been in touch, and when the seat became available, what better Cinderella story is there than Carrie Underwood?”
The “Idol Across America” tour will begin Sept. 3 with its first nationwide open casting call. It will continue on Sept. 12 (East Coast), Sept. 15 (the South), Sept. 18 (West Coast), and Sept. 24 (nationwide). Aspiring singers can audition at americanidol.com/auditions.
Per the ABC release:
Those auditioning will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an American Idol producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.”
American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal RobertsDisney/Christopher Willard
Last season ended with R&B singer Jamal Roberts beating country crooner John Foster in the finale. Roberts became the second Black man to win American Idol after Season 2’s Ruben Studdard 22 years earlier. “I’m anointed. I know how to use it. I know how to tap in,” Roberts told Gold Derby on the red carpet. After the confetti fell, Jamal got down on the floor and did a snow angel on the big stage. “I will always remember that moment, because I’ve actually never done a snow angel before in the real snow — it was just amazing,” the Mississippi native revealed.
Visit our gallery to refresh your memory on all of the former American Idol winners, including Underwood and Roberts.
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