The gang is back together again for another season of American Idol. The reality TV talent show will once again include Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry as judges, reuniting the same group that has been with Idol since the show moved to ABC in 2018.
The news of the return of the three judges was first announced on social media.
Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will return as American Idol judges along with host Ryan Seacrest for Season 7. Audition NOW! pic.twitter.com/2S34ntHvBW
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) July 25, 2023
Backstage at CMA Fest, Bryan said he hoped he would return to American Idol with Richie and Perry, but that details of the next season at the time were still being worked out.
“My future [is] with Idol, as long as the show is growing and popping and we feel like we’re doing beautiful work as a show,” he said. “We felt like this year was what we had all worked together to get to … As long as the vibe feels like we’re onward and upward and we’re getting emotionally moved and we’re telling the story of kids and of the American spirit and it’s a show that kids can sit down and parents can cry and laugh together and have fun, it’s gonna be a tough show for me and Lionel and Katy to walk away from.”
Iam Tongi was crowned the winner of the most recent season, with Megan Danielle as the runner-up, and Colin Stough coming in third place. It’s a season that Bryan admits will be hard to beat.
“I think it’s our best season,” Bryan told Audacy’s KMLE Country 107.9 (Phoenix). “The vibe, from the social streaming aspect to just the talent — I think it’s our best season. I judge it off of fan interactions online. You look at all the social media platforms, and it seems to be getting a big buzz. When the ABC executives are really, really happy, and Disney, it’s been I feel like our best year.”
Being on American Idol introduced Bryan, and his music, to a new population of fans who may not have known who he was otherwise, and the Georgia native has Blake Shelton to thank. It was Shelton who convinced Bryan to do the show after seeing what being on The Voice did for his own career..
“We’ve talked about our careers in those roles,” Bryan previously told Lon Helton on Country Countdown USA. “Blake was a big reason why I decided to do American Idol. Him stepping down from The Voice, I know he’s ready. He’s ready to move to the next chapter. It’s gotta be a good feeling. I wish him nothing but the best, and I thank him for paving the way for there to be a voice of country music on TV like that.”
A premiere date for the next season of American Idol has yet to be announced. Bryan is currently on his Country On Tour, and will also embark on his Farm Tour in September. Find all of Bryan’s music and upcoming shows at LukeBryan.com.
