Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie to Return For ABC’s ‘American Idol’
Will you audition for Idol this year?
It’s official – Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will be returning as judges for the fifth season of American Idol on ABC. Announced Tuesday (8/3), the network revealed that the show will return for its 20th season overall in the spring of 2022 with the three returning judges and Ryan Seacrest as host.
“Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan are music and industry icons that have become synonymous with ‘Idol’ on ABC,” said Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television in a press release. “Their star power is unmatched, and their support is a gift to our contestants that have deeply benefited from their wisdom over the past four seasons—and they’re ready to do it again. As we begin a momentous season, I think it’s safe to say this dream team has officially cemented their legacy on ‘Idol.’”
“’American Idol’ is still the original music show that genuinely creates superstars and continues to evolve to allow true artists to succeed in this unique business,” added executive producer and showrunner Megan Wolflick. “The chemistry and passion Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to none. We couldn’t be more ecstatic that they are returning for this iconic 20th season in search of the freshest new talent that this nation has to offer.”
“We are thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan will be back to help discover our next American Idol,” shared executive producer Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media. “This dream team has selected and guided some of the most talented ‘Idol’ contestants in the history of the series, and we can’t wait to see who they’ll find next.”
Virtual auditions for the upcoming season will begin Friday, Aug. 6 with the return of Idol Across America. The live virtual nationwide search will take place across all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. Hopefuls can audition from anywhere in America during one of the official audition dates.
For more information on how to audition, visit americanidol.com/auditions.
Ahead of his return to Idol, Bryan will be busy out on the road for a number of tour dates. The ACM Entertainer of the Year is currently on his headlining Proud To Be Right Here Tour. He’ll embark on his 12th Farm Tour in September of 2021, before heading to Cancun for Crash My Playa in January 2022 and Las Vegas in February.
“Idol Across America” auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 6)
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 8)
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 11)
Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 13)
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 16)
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 18)
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada (Aug. 21)
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming (Aug. 23)
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 25)
Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 27)
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah (Aug. 31)
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Sept. 2)
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Sept. 8)
Open Call: The South (Sept. 10)
Open Call: East Coast (Sept. 13)
Open Call: West Coast (Sept. 16)
Open Call: Nationwide (Sept. 21)
