Kieran, dim the lights! We’ve got a major announcement.<\/p>\n
It simply wouldn’t be American Idol<\/em> without Ryan Seacrest<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>, Luke Bryan<\/strong>, and Lionel Richie<\/strong> were returning<\/a> to the judges’ table for Season 24 \u2014 Seacrest’s name was absent from that initial announcement, leading to some speculation over whether he would be back.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Seacrest has been keeping busy in the Idol<\/em> off-season by hosting Wheel of Fortune<\/em> and his syndicated radio program, On Air With Ryan Seacrest<\/em>. He is a 14-time Emmy nominee for hosting and producing American Idol<\/em> and for producing Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution<\/em>; he won for the latter in 2010.<\/p>\n The judges and host of ‘American Idol’ Seasons 23 and 24Kristina Bumphrey\/Variety<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n “He’s a producer’s dream,” showrunner Megan Wolflick<\/strong> told Gold Derby<\/a>. “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.”<\/p>\n Both Bryan and Richie have been with American Idol<\/em> 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<\/strong> on the panel.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ryan Seacrest and Jamal Roberts, ‘American Idol’Disney\/Christopher Willard<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n American Idol<\/em> 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<\/strong> released his first single, \u201cHeal,\u201d which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May.<\/p>\n Season 24 of American Idol<\/em> will premiere in early 2026 on ABC and Hulu.<\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>