Quick Read
- American Idol Season returns January 26, 2026.
- Judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie are back.
- New ‘Ohana Round’ introduced in Hawaii for Top 30 contestants.
- Hollywood Week will now take place in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Only 20 contestants will advance past the ‘Ohana Round.
Country music superstar Luke Bryan is set to return as a judge for American Idol’s upcoming season, premiering Monday, January 26, alongside fellow acclaimed artists Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie. The long-running singing competition is poised for a significant refresh, introducing a new ‘Ohana Round’ filmed in Hawaii and relocating the iconic Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee. These strategic shifts aim to inject new energy into the show, offering fresh challenges for contestants and leveraging the unique expertise of its judging panel.
A Revamped Format for the New Season
The new season of American Idol will unveil an exciting addition to its competition structure: the ‘Ohana Round,’ to be held in the picturesque setting of Hawaii. The term ‘Ohana,’ meaning ‘extended family’ in Hawaiian, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this innovative stage. Designed as the ultimate focus group, the ‘Ohana Round’ blends peer respect, emotional support, and crucial professional insight, providing a unique crucible for the Top 30 hopefuls before the competition advances to America’s Vote.
During this round, contestants will perform for a stellar lineup of industry tastemakers and cultural commentators, who collectively boast a reach of nearly 149 million followers. This esteemed group includes social media personality duo Kaniyia Brown & Terry McCaskill, artist and music creator Anthony Gargiula, singer and actress Loren Gray, co-editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone Shirley Halperin, writer, podcast host, and cultural commentator Evan Ross Katz, vocal coach phenomenon Cheryl Porter, and country music personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton. These experts, along with contestants’ peers, family members, and friends, will offer diverse perspectives on the performances. By the conclusion of the ‘Ohana Round,’ only 20 contestants will secure their spot to advance further in the competition, making it a pivotal moment for aspiring stars.
Hollywood Week Heads to Music City
In another groundbreaking move, the traditionally Los Angeles-based Hollywood Week will now be held in Nashville, Tennessee. This relocation is a direct nod to the strong country music presence on the judging panel, specifically highlighting the influence of country artists Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. Nashville, known globally as ‘Music City,’ offers an authentic backdrop for aspiring musicians, particularly those leaning into country and folk genres, providing an environment rich in musical heritage and industry connections.
Auditions for the new season were notably held at Belmont University in Nashville, a location just a short drive from judge Carrie Underwood’s 400-acre farm in Franklin. This geographical shift is expected to foster a different dynamic for contestants and could potentially attract a new wave of talent, capitalizing on the vibrant music scene of the American South. The move underscores the show’s adaptability and its willingness to evolve by incorporating the regional strengths and expertise of its judges, offering a fresh take on a beloved segment of the competition.
Carrie Underwood’s Evolved Approach to Judging
While Luke Bryan’s steady presence anchors the judging panel, his co-judge Carrie Underwood recently offered insights into her evolved role for the upcoming season. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside Bryan and Lionel Richie, Underwood, a former American Idol winner herself, exuded confidence as she discussed her second year on the panel. She shared that her approach to judging has matured since her debut season, where she initially felt less sure of herself and her role.
In an interview with Y’all Access Radio, Underwood stated, ‘I feel more confident in myself in this role. I feel like last year, you wonder if you’ll have anything to say. You wonder what kind of a judge you’ll be because you really don’t know until you get in there. But I feel good, and I feel good about the talent, for sure.’ She emphasized her desire to impart wisdom gleaned from her own experience as a contestant, aiming to help aspiring artists grow. Despite facing criticism from some fans for her honest feedback during her first season, Underwood defended her choices on Sirius XM’s The Highway, asserting that constructive criticism is vital for development. ‘I just want everybody to learn, and that’s part of it. And nobody wants to just hear that they’re amazing all the time…We just want everybody to be able to grow and get better, and be the most awesome version of themselves that they could be,’ she explained, highlighting her commitment to the contestants’ long-term success. Even with the move of Hollywood Week to Nashville, Underwood noted the demanding schedule, explaining that the late wrap times meant she often couldn’t return to her nearby home, underscoring the intense commitment required from the judges.
The strategic introduction of new competition rounds and the geographical shift of key stages like Hollywood Week reflect a deliberate effort by American Idol producers to refresh the long-running format. By leveraging the expertise and genre affinity of judges like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood in Nashville, and incorporating diverse industry perspectives in Hawaii, the show aims to enhance both its authenticity and audience engagement, ensuring its continued relevance in a competitive entertainment landscape.