Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie return for American Idol Season 25; Ryan Seacrest also confirmed

Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will return to the American Idol judges’ table for Season 25, with Ryan Seacrest set to resume hosting duties, according to The Boot. The confirmation arrived Thursday night (Sept. 24) in Nashville, where Bryan shared the news from the stage during his tour stop. Carrie Underwood, who is also returning as a judge, joined him onstage for the announcement.

Richie appeared via video during the reveal, The Boot reports, following a stretch of health setbacks over the summer of 2026. According to the AP, representatives for Richie say he recently underwent a heart procedure to treat atrial fibrillation and that the operation went well, though he will pause touring for now. His next scheduled performances are a run of six Las Vegas residency dates at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas between Oct. 14 and Nov. 14, followed by a single December show in Brazil.

The returns keep continuity for the long-running competition as it marks a milestone 25th season. Last year, the Season 24 premiere rolled out in January, and Hannah Harper ultimately won the title, per The Boot. If Underwood, Bryan and Richie complete Season 25, only original judge Randy Jackson will have logged more seasons on the panel, the outlet notes.

For country listeners, Bryan and Underwood’s continued presence matters: Idol remains a prime-time gateway that has launched or boosted a number of Nashville careers over two decades, and an active country voice at the judges’ table can help keep genre talent front and center. Underwood’s return to the judges’ panel underscores that connection—she is one of Idol’s most influential alumni and a standard-bearer in modern country. With the core lineup set, the series positions itself for another season of national exposure that can shape the next wave of country artists and songs reaching mainstream audiences.

Source: The Boot