Luke Bryan is opening up about what it’s like to work with Carrie Underwood on American Idol. Underwood, who won Season 4 in 2005, returned for her inaugural season as a judge earlir this year, working alonside Bryan and Lionel Richie.
“Carrie Underwood, she is the most on-time person you have ever met. I’m talking about punctual, dialed in, professional,” Bryan reveals on SiriusXM’s The Highway. “I’m talking about like one minute before. Like [former New England Patriots head coach] Bill Belichick taught her how to show up on time. And so, I’m in my dressing room, and I’m pretty good, and you can look on the monitor and see who’s in the chair already. And it’s, let’s say it’s 9:03, and there’s Carrie, ready, looking at her nails. We’re like throwing it on. So, just her punctuality.”
Bryan, along with Underwood and Richie, all confirmed they will return as coaches in 2026. The “Country Song Came On” singer is especially excited to get to know Underwood even more in the upcoming season.
“This is our second year that we’ve started together,” Bryan says. “And just getting to know her and her family dynamic. Having two boys, it’s really fun to hear the stories going on around their household.”
Why Luke Bryan Became Part of ‘American Idol’
Bryan and Richie have been part of American Idol since the show launched on ABC in 2018. The father of two admits he may not have agreed to be part of the TV show, if not for Blake Shelton.
“We’ve talked about our careers in those roles. Blake was a big reason why I decided to do American Idol… I thank him for paving the way for there to be a voice of country music on TV like that,” Bryan says on Country Countdown USA.
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What Carrie Underwood Says About Being on ‘American Idol’
Being a coach on Idol is a full-circle moment for Underwood, who credits the show with her superstar career.
“I owe my career to American Idol,” Underwood previously told People. “It has been such an important part of my life, and I will always be grateful for that. Coming back as a judge 20 years later is such a special full-circle moment for me, and it’s meant a lot to share that journey with the people that have been there from the beginning, as well as a whole new generation of Idol fans.”
What Is Changing About ‘American Idol’ in 2026
The new season of American Idol is also bringing some new changes as well. For the first time since the show’s inception in 2002, contestants making it to the next round will head to Nashville, instead of Hollywood.
“For the first time ever, American Idol will bring the iconic Hollywood Week round to Nashville,” a press release announces “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover will feature one round only as the hopefuls from all musical genres take the stage for a make-or-break performance, facing the biggest Hollywood Week cut in Idol history.”
American Idol will premiere on Monday, January 26 on ABC, and stream on Hulu.
Photo Credit: Disney / Lorenzeo Bevilaqua