Luke Bryan Uncertain About American Idol Season 24 Return, Predicts Carrie Underwood Will Return

Luke Bryan, a judge on American Idol since 2018, expressed uncertainty about returning for the show's 24th season in 2026, describing his participation as a year-by-year decision. While Bryan enjoyed working alongside Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie in Season 23, he has not confirmed his plans for the upcoming season, stating, "We'll see what happens." In contrast, Bryan is optimistic about Underwood's return, noting that she "really enjoyed" her first season as a judge and predicting her comeback as "highly favorable." Underwood, who won the competition as a contestant in Season 4, also spoke positively about her judging experience and has considered pursuing acting alongside her music career. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick has expressed hope that the current panel of judges will remain intact. Industry figures like Simon Cowell have praised Underwood's judging style, highlighting her honest yet kind approach to the role.