Luke Bryan has been part of American Idol since 2018, when the show moved to ABC, along with Lionel Richie. Carrie Underwood, who won Season 4 in 2005, returned 20 years later for her inaugural season as a judge. While it is largely assumed that Bryan will return, the father of two says he is still uncertain if either he or Underwood will be part of American Idol in 2026.
“Idol is kind of a year-by-year, ‘Do we do it or not?'” Bryan tells Taste of Country. “Last year was really really incredible with Carrie and Lionel and Ryan. And the main thing is just, have fun with American Idol and have fun with the kids.”
“We’ll see what happens,” he adds.
Although nothing is confirmed, Bryan does hint that he thinks Underwood will be back next season as well.
“I know she had a great time in the role,” Bryan says. “My prediction would be highly favorable.”
Why Luke Bryan Joined American Idol
Fans can thank Blake Shelton for Bryan being part of American Idol, sort of. When Bryan was issued the invitation, he immediately reached out to Shelton, since Shelton was on The Voice for 23 seasons.
“You said, ‘Do it,'” Bryan recalls in a conversation with Shelton (via Country Now). “I said, ‘Heck yeah, I’m going to do it.’ Man, it was like you told me. It certainly opens your eyes, opens your world up to stuff you never can imagine. Thank you for that.”
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How Luke Bryan Has Evolved As A Judge On American Idol
Bryan has learned a lot about being a judge, especially after so many years being part of the TV show.
“I think my first year at American Idol, there was a lot of things I need to get comfortable with,” Bryan admits. “Now I’m comfortable with Idol and doing the TV spots and the commercials and some of the fun acting bits, and I’m comfortable letting my emotions out on TV.”
What Luke Bryan Said About Carrie Underwood Returning To American Idol
Bryan was excited about Underwood becoming part of American Idol, filling the seat left vacant by Katy Perry.
“Carrie and I had always been in the business together,” Bryan tells Extra. “But we never spent much time together, so to sit behind the desk and watch her really learn how to transition out of being the winner of American Idol and a superstar to being the judge at the table, but she’s doing good. The main thing is as long as she don’t pick up any of my habits. I don’t want to influence her in any way.”
Why Luke Bryan Might Not Return To American Idol
Even if Bryan wants to return to American Idol, he admits the decision isn’t entirely up to him.
“They asked opinions and stuff,” shared with Everything Nash. “And everybody they were bringing up, I was like, ‘That would be great. That would be great. What about us? Are y’all hiring us?’ ‘Cause we didn’t know for a little bit.”