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American Idol <\/a><\/em>Season 24 is beginning sooner than any season in recent history.<\/p>\n The 2026 version of the singing competition show will follow a similar format with the same three judges as last year. However, the venue for one of the most important weeks will change.<\/p>\n Here’s everything we know about American Idol<\/em> Season 24 on ABC.<\/p>\n The new season will start significantly earlier than the last. Expect Season 24 of American Idol<\/em> to premiere on Jan. 26, 2026, a Monday night.<\/p>\n This is the earliest start in a decade and\u2014if the show ends mid-May as it always does\u2014 the longest American Idol<\/em> season since it moved to ABC in 2018.<\/p>\n Yes, Carrie Underwood <\/a>is returning to American Idol<\/em> for Season 24.\u00a0Luke Bryan<\/a>, Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest will return as well.<\/p>\n Season 24 marks nine seasons Bryan and Richie (originally paired with Katy Perry), and two for Underwood.<\/p>\n Of course, Seacrest has been with the show for all 24 seasons, starting with Season 1 alongside\u00a0Kelly Clarkson<\/a> in 2002.<\/p>\n So far, the process is looking similar to years past. However, one notable change is the elimination of Hollywood Week… kind of.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Carrie Underwood: American Idol<\/em> Judging Is Honest, Not ‘Harsh’<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A Golden Ticket will now get you to Nashville for Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover. It’s not clear when this episode will film but it’s easy to imagine the logic: Both Underwood and Bryan live in Music City, and Seacrest and Richie also have connections to the town.<\/p>\n Country music is in a bit of a drought on American Idol<\/em>. The last country singer to win was Noah Thompson in 2022 (Season 20).<\/p>\n However, country stars won three of the first five seasons of American Idol<\/em> on ABC, starting with Laine Hardy and then Chance Beckham and Thompson.<\/p>\n Other country winners include Underwood (Season 4), Scotty McCreery<\/a> (Season 10) and Trent Harmon<\/a> (Season 15).<\/p>\n Carrie Underwood has been, well, busy since winning Season 4 of American Idol<\/em> in 2005. Since the confetti fell, the country singer has released nine albums and embarked on seven tours. She’s also tried her hand at acting and launched a handful of businesses.<\/p>\n Over the years she’s become one of the biggest success stories to come out of the show, winning countless awards and amassing a staggering net worth of over $100 million.<\/p>\n Keep scrolling to see 20 things Underwood has done since her time on the reality singing competition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhen Does\u00a0American Idol<\/em>\u00a0Season 24 Start?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Is Carrie Underwood Returning To American Idol<\/em>?<\/h3>\n
What’s New on American Idol<\/em> This Year?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Country Music American Idol Winners<\/strong><\/h3>\n
20 Things Carrie Underwood Has Done Since Winning ‘American Idol’<\/h2>\n
13 ‘American Idol’ Stars Who’ve Died<\/h2>\n