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who are judges on american idol

The current judges on American Idol in 2026 (Season 24 on ABC) are Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

Quick Scoop: Who Are the Judges on American Idol?

For the 2026 season (Season 24 overall, Season 9 on ABC), the judging panel is:

  • Carrie Underwood – Country superstar and one of the show’s most famous past winners, now back as a mentor-judge after joining the panel in 2025.
  • Luke Bryan – Country artist known for his laid‑back style, humor, and supportive feedback to contestants.
  • Lionel Richie – Legendary singer‑songwriter who brings veteran industry insight and calm, encouraging critiques.

All three were confirmed to return together for the 2026 season after first teaming up as a trio in Season 23, with ABC and Disney promotions highlighting them as the “superstar judge trio” for the new run.

Ryan Seacrest continues as host, guiding the show and live episodes as usual.

Judges Panel At a Glance

Here’s a quick look at the 2026 American Idol judges:

[3][5] [9][5][3] [5] [9][3][5] [5] [3][9][5]
Judge Background Role on 2026 Season
Carrie Underwood Country star, former Idol winner, joined as judge in Season 23.Returns as judge for Season 24 in 2026.
Luke Bryan Country singer, long‑running judge since the show’s ABC revival in 2018.Back on the panel for Season 24 in 2026.
Lionel Richie Pop/R&B legend, judge since 2018 ABC seasons.Returns alongside Carrie and Luke for the 2026 season.

“Luke, Carrie, and Lionel are BACK and Idol Across America auditions start this week!” – 2025 social announcement teasing the 2026 season.

Mini Viewpoints: How Fans Talk About the Judges

On fan forums and Reddit threads, people often debate:

  1. Feedback style
    • Some fans wish judges would give more technical, critical feedback instead of mostly positive comments.
 * Others like the more supportive tone compared with the harsher, “OG” Simon Cowell era.
  1. Carrie as a former winner
    • Many viewers see Carrie as a strong addition because she’s proof that the Idol “journey” really works and can speak from lived experience.
  1. Nostalgia vs. now
    • Long‑time fans sometimes compare the modern, encouraging panel to earlier, more brutally honest judges, arguing about which era produced better performances and TV moments.

Trending & Timeline Context

  • The trio of Carrie, Luke, and Lionel was confirmed in August 2025 for the 2026 season.
  • Season 24 is slated as a spring 2026 premiere on ABC, with Sunday night broadcasts and next‑day streaming.

So if you’re tuning into American Idol in 2026 and wondering, “who are the judges on American Idol right now?” —it’s Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie on the panel, with Ryan Seacrest hosting.

TL;DR: The judges on American Idol for the 2026 season are Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest as host.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.