American Idol Season 24 Judges: Who's Returning and Who's Not?
Season 24 of American Idol is here, and fans were eager to know if the judges from the previous season would return. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie filled the judge's chairs last season, with Underwood making her debut as a judge. Bryan expressed his belief that Underwood enjoyed her time on the show and predicted that she would likely return for another season. However, Bryan himself was unsure about his own return, as the decision to continue with the show is made on a yearly basis. The new season of American Idol premieres on January 26th at 8 PM ET on ABC, with live episodes airing every Monday night and available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
Bryan emphasized the importance of having fun on American Idol, especially with fellow country music star and friend, Carrie Underwood, by his side. While Bryan remained coy about his future on the show, reports suggest that he earns around $12 million per season, while Underwood's salary for the 2025 season was estimated to be between $10 million and $12.5 million. As fans anticipate the new season, let's take a look back at some memorable moments from past seasons of American Idol.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes, Sterling Whitaker.