Your Guide To ‘American Idol’ 2024: Premiere Date, Judges, And Beyond

American Idol fans, listen up because the 2024 season of the singing competition show is finally here.

Is American Idol Coming Back In 2024?

The beloved show will officially be returning to ABC on Sunday, February 18. The next competition season will mark the 22nd run of Idol in total and seven seasons on ABC. 

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Where Can I Watch American Idol 2024?

Viewers can catch the first round of auditions by watching the new season premiere which is set to air via the network on Sunday, February 18 or by streaming on Hulu. This will offer the first look into all the hopeful singer/songwriters who have been preparing to step in front of the star-studded panel of judges and showcase their talent with hopes of becoming the next American Idol winner. 

Who Will Be The Judges On American Idol Next Season?

In July, ABC confirmed that Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will return as judges on the upcoming season. Additionally, Idol veteran Ryan Seacrest will reclaim his duties as host. 

The returning set of judges were first tapped to join the show upon its revival in 2018 on ABC. Since then, Perry, Bryan, and Richie have all settled into their roles with the shared mission of helping aspiring singer/songwriters achieve their dreams. 

What American Idol Judge Is Leaving?

Just days before the American Idol 2024 season premiere, Katy Perry announced that she is leaving American Idol after this 2024 season.

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she told Jimmy Kimmel. “I mean I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?”

Perry then revealed that her Idol cohorts, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, were unaware of her decision to leave the show until the moment she shared the news on the late night TV show. 

How Long Has Luke Bryan Been On American Idol?

Luke Bryan has served as a judge on American Idol for seven consecutive seasons.

The country supersta admits that he has been more emotional than he ever thought he would as a result of seeing how much of an impact he has on the competitors year after year. 

“If you’d have told me I would have cried in front of millions of Americans . . . I’m not there trying to put on this tough-country-guy act,” Bryan previously told PEOPLE. “I’m there to get involved in the emotion of the show. And sometimes what you’re trying to say is not going to land perfectly.” 

Bryan went on to say that no matter what happens on or off the screen, he is confident in the abilities of him and his fellow judges to do the best they can in guiding these budding artists. 

He continued, “But for the most part, I know when I sit down behind that desk at American Idol, me and Lionel and Katy are doing our best and coming from a place of love and compassion.” 

While speaking about Idol with Fox News at CMA Fest in 2023, the “But I Got A Beer In My Hand” singer also expressed how difficult it would be to leave this job behind now that he’s fully invested. 

“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. Obviously, Ryan’s been there 21 years.… Ryan Seacrest could go do whatever he wants to,” he said of the longtime host.

“We feel like we’re doing beautiful work as a show, and we felt like this year was what we had all worked together to get to,” he shared, before adding that he hopes to remain a part of the Idol family as long as “the vibe feels like we’re onward and upward.”

American Idol Auditions

Auditions for Season 7 began back in August with the return of “Idol Across America.” This live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar gave auditioners the chance to showcase their talents in front of an Idol producer from anywhere in America. From there, many lucky singers were chosen to continue onto the next round of auditions in from of the judges. 

Auditions for next season are now closed, which means the next singer to be crowned the next American Idol, will be found within this pool of talent. The next top-voted singer will follow last year’s winner, Iam Tongi.

Ahead of the Season 22 premiere, Idol unveiled two auditions from contestants McKenna Breinholt and Triston Harper.

Tune into ABC or stream on Hulu on Sunday, February 18, to see the first group of auditioners showcase their talent during the Season 7 premiere.