Will Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie Return for American Idol Season 25? Judges Open Up About Their Future on the Show

With American Idol Season 24 officially coming to a close after Hannah Harper’s emotional victory, attention is already beginning to shift toward the future of the long-running singing competition. One of the biggest questions fans are now asking is whether judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie will return if the series moves forward with a milestone Season 25.

Although ABC has not yet officially confirmed the next season at the time of writing, comments from the judges and host Ryan Seacrest suggest there is strong optimism surrounding the future of the franchise.

At the same time, each member of the panel has offered insight into how they currently feel about continuing their American Idol journey.

Carrie Underwood Reflects on Her Second Season as a Judge

Season 24 marked Carrie Underwood’s second year serving as a judge after she joined the panel in 2025, replacing longtime judge Katy Perry.

For Underwood, the latest season represented a noticeably more comfortable experience compared to her first year behind the judges’ table.

Speaking about her experience after the finale, Underwood explained that she felt significantly more relaxed and confident throughout Season 24.

“I feel like in my first season I was very much trying to find my place and figure out my footing as a judge,” she shared. “This season was a lot more fun because I felt a lot more comfortable.”

Her comments reflect how naturally she appeared to settle into the role over the course of the season. Many viewers praised Underwood for bringing a contestant’s perspective to the judging panel, having famously won American Idol herself back in Season 4.

Throughout Season 24, Underwood often connected emotionally with contestants, particularly during performances centered around family, faith, and personal storytelling.

Although she stopped short of officially confirming a return, Underwood spoke positively about the impact the show has had on her life.

“We’ll just see what happens after that,” she said. “The show has been a blessing in my life.”

Luke Bryan Discusses Possibility of a 10th Season

For Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, Season 24 marked their ninth consecutive season as judges since American Idol relaunched on ABC in 2018.

Bryan acknowledged that the upcoming season could represent an important milestone if he returns for a tenth year on the panel.

“Ten’s a good, nice, round number,” Bryan joked when discussing the possibility of returning.

However, he also made it clear that discussions about future seasons happen carefully every year between the judges and producers.

“We sit down and talk it out every year,” he explained.

Bryan also reflected on what the experience has meant to him personally over nearly a decade on the show.

“It’s really special to have nine years under my belt,” he said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much about the American dream and how kids chase it and their ups and downs and struggles.”

The country star added that he still feels grateful for the opportunity to remain part of the series.

“I’m honored to be there, and it’s been a great year,” Bryan shared.

Lionel Richie Encourages Fans to Speak Up

Lionel Richie also addressed the future of the judging panel, although he did so in his signature playful style.

When asked whether he would return for another season, Richie jokingly encouraged viewers to campaign for the current panel to stay together.

“If you all get together and vote,” Richie said with a laugh. “Just vote Luke, Carrie, Lionel, Ryan.”

He continued by humorously suggesting fans contact ABC directly to support the current lineup.

“Say, ‘We cannot watch this show without those four people,’” Richie added.

While lighthearted, his comments reflected the strong chemistry the judges and Ryan Seacrest have developed during the ABC era of the show.

Throughout Season 24, viewers frequently praised the panel’s supportive atmosphere, emotional investment in contestants, and entertaining interactions during live broadcasts.

Ryan Seacrest Remains Optimistic About Season 25

Host Ryan Seacrest also addressed speculation surrounding the future of the series.

Seacrest, who has hosted American Idol since the very first season in 2002, admitted that no official renewal announcement had been made yet at the time of his interview.

However, he expressed confidence that the franchise would likely continue into a milestone 25th season.

“I can’t imagine there wouldn’t be a Season 25 of ‘American Idol,’” Seacrest said.

“They haven’t told me that’s official yet,” he added, “but that would be strange if we didn’t get to 25 and stopped at 24.”

Seacrest’s comments echoed the feelings of many longtime viewers who see Season 25 as an important milestone for one of television’s most recognizable reality competition franchises.

Season 24 Delivered Strong Emotional Moments

The discussion surrounding Season 25 comes after a highly emotional and competitive Season 24 finale.

Hannah Harper was ultimately crowned the winner following a close race against Jordan McCullough and Keyla Richardson.

Throughout the season, the judges became deeply emotionally invested in many contestants’ journeys.

Underwood frequently became emotional during performances, particularly when contestants performed original songs or shared deeply personal stories. Richie often focused on contestants’ long-term artistry and emotional impact, while Bryan brought humor and encouragement throughout the competition.

Their chemistry as a panel became one of the defining features of the season.

Fans Continue Debating the Future of the Show

As renewal discussions continue behind the scenes, fans have already started debating what they hope to see in a potential Season 25.

Some viewers have strongly supported keeping the current panel together, while others have questioned whether changes might eventually happen as the show evolves.

Online discussions following the finale included conversations about judging styles, contestant feedback, and whether the show should continue focusing on emotional storytelling alongside vocal competition.

Still, despite occasional criticism online, American Idol continues maintaining a passionate audience more than two decades after first premiering.

Disney and ABC Expected to Announce Renewal Plans

At the time of writing, Disney and ABC were expected to announce additional programming decisions during upcoming network presentations.

Industry observers widely expect American Idol to return for another season given its continued ratings success, strong social media engagement, and long-standing recognition as one of television’s most successful music competition series.

If renewed, Season 25 would mark a major milestone in the franchise’s history.

The Current Panel Helped Shape the ABC Era of Idol

Whether all four stars officially return or not, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Ryan Seacrest have each played important roles in shaping the current era of American Idol.

Richie and Bryan helped guide the show through its ABC revival beginning in 2018, while Underwood brought a new perspective as a former contestant returning as a judge.

Together, the panel created a more supportive and emotionally driven atmosphere that many viewers feel has helped modernize the series while preserving its original spirit.

Now, with Season 24 officially complete and renewal discussions underway, fans are waiting to see whether the same team will reunite for what could become one of the most significant seasons in American Idol history.