Kieran, dim the lights! We’ve got a major announcement.
It simply wouldn’t be American Idol without Ryan Seacrest. And now, the show’s forever host has inked a deal to return for his 24th season, and ninth season on ABC. The news comes two weeks after Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were returning to the judges’ table for Season 24 — Seacrest’s name was absent from that initial announcement, leading to some speculation over whether he would be back.
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Seacrest has been keeping busy in the Idol off-season by hosting Wheel of Fortune and his syndicated radio program, On Air With Ryan Seacrest. He is a 14-time Emmy nominee for hosting and producing American Idol and for producing Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution; he won for the latter in 2010.
The judges and host of ‘American Idol’ Seasons 23 and 24Kristina Bumphrey/Variety
“He’s a producer’s dream,” showrunner Megan Wolflick told Gold Derby. “He’s just so easy. The way that he can navigate a live show, and the way that he runs the math in his head with the numbers, and how spontaneous he is. He is everything in one, [and] his hunger is insatiable for great content.”
Both Bryan and Richie have been with American Idol since Season 16, when it officially moved to ABC in 2018. Season 24 marks their ninth seasons as judges. Underwood won Season 4 in 2005 as a contestant, and joined as a judge beginning in Season 23, which aired last year. She replaced Katy Perry on the panel.
Virtual auditions for the “Idol Across America” tour are currently underway. Aspiring singers will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an American Idol producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to perform in front of the judges. Contenders can submit their applications at americanidol.com/auditions.
Ryan Seacrest and Jamal Roberts, ‘American Idol’Disney/Christopher Willard
American Idol has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season’s finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best total viewer audience in two years. Reigning champion Jamal Roberts released his first single, “Heal,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May.
Season 24 of American Idol will premiere in early 2026 on ABC and Hulu.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
