On August 25, 2025, ABC officially confirmed the judging panel for season 24 of American Idol. Country superstar Carrie Underwood, who joined the show as a judge in 2024, will return for her second season. She’ll once again sit alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, who are entering their eighth season together at the iconic judge’s table.

But while fans can celebrate the confirmed return of the judges, questions remain about two other familiar faces — longtime host Ryan Seacrest and Artist-in-Residence Jelly Roll.

Ryan Seacrest’s Potential Departure

Ryan Seacrest, 48, has hosted every season of American Idol since its debut in 2002. His role has been central to the show’s success, providing a steady presence through the ups and downs of two decades of television history.

However, Seacrest’s future on the show is not yet officially confirmed. On July 21, 2025, Seacrest broke down in tears on his nationally syndicated radio show while revealing that his father, Gary, 80, had been battling prostate cancer and had spent time in the ICU. His mother also recently underwent cancer treatment.

Seacrest spent several weeks in Atlanta earlier this year supporting his parents after the Idol season wrapped, raising speculation about whether he might choose to step away from the demanding Los Angeles-based role to focus more on his family.

Despite these concerns, Deadline reported on August 25 that Seacrest is “fully expected to return,” though negotiations with ABC have not yet been finalized.

Jelly Roll’s Future as Artist-in-Residence

While Seacrest’s position is in question, Jelly Roll’s status also remains unclear. The country star has been a standout presence on Idol, first appearing as a guest mentor in 2023 before being named the show’s first-ever Artist-in-Residence in 2024.

As Artist-in-Residence, Jelly Roll worked closely with contestants during Hollywood Week, joined guest mentors like Josh Groban and Ashanti for the Top 24 in Hawaii, and provided ongoing mentorship and encouragement throughout the live shows. His passion for the role has been evident, telling Entertainment Tonight in March:

“What I want to do is get a permanent artist-in-residency there. That’s my dream right now — is that it never could be anybody but me and American Idol signs a lifelong contract for Jelly Roll to be the mentor artist-in-residence.”

While Jelly Roll has made it clear he wants to stay with the show, ABC has not yet announced whether he will return for season 24.

What’s Next for American Idol

With Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie confirmed, season 24 already promises to deliver the same mix of talent, experience, and entertainment that fans have come to expect.

However, the future of Ryan Seacrest, the face of the franchise, and Jelly Roll, the breakout mentor beloved by contestants, remains unresolved. Until ABC makes an official announcement, fans will be eagerly waiting to see whether both men will return when the new season premieres in 2026.