Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie are set to return to the judges’ seats when American Idol launches its ninth season on ABC and Hulu in 2026, the singing competition announced on Monday (Aug. 25).
The upcoming season, which marks the music competition’s 24th season overall, will again search for America’s next big music superstar. On social media, Underwood, Richie and Bryan shared a “Back-to-School” themed video in preparation for the new season.
“Class is back in session,” Bryan said in the video clip.
Former American Idol champion and eight-time Grammy winner Underwood appeared to be packing lunchboxes in her video segment, saying, “And this year, we’re majoring in music as we help launch your dreams.”
Richie, shown holding what seemed to be a thermos of coffee, said, “Hello! I’m your professor of positivity.” Bryan chimed in, “Professor of Fun here. Serious … but fun,” and Underwood added, “Sign up for my class and you’ll be blown away,” seemingly referencing her own 2012 album by the same name.
“The three judges are back for another amazing season of IDOL University,” Richie said. “The only thing that’s missing is you.”
This will be the ninth season in which Bryan and Richie have sat together on the judging panel. Only one other pair sat on the judges panel together for nine seasons – Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, from Seasons 1-9. (Fellow original judge Paula Abdul left after Season 8.) Jackson remained on the panel through Season 12.
Auditions for the new season will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 26, when the live, virtual auditions search, “Idol Across America,” happens in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
On Idol‘s most recent season, Mississippi teacher Jamal Roberts emerged as the winner. He performed a version of the song “Heal,” written by Tom O’Dell, which went on to reach No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. Roberts then released the biographical song “Mississippi.”
“I wanted to paint a picture of what I miss and what I’ve come from and that what I do currently in Mississippi that gives me that ease and that peace of mind,” he told Billboard of the track in July. “And in the song, if you listen closely, you’ll hear how I feel.”
Watch the new teaser featuring the returning judges below:
