As auditions continue for American Idol Season 24, Ryan Seacrest’s future on the show has finally been revealed.
Deadline reports that Seacrest will be back to host the upcoming season, which will be the ninth on ABC.
Videos by PopCulture.com
He completes the singing competition’s main roster, as judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood will also return despite rumors speculating an exit or two. Seacrest has been hosting Idol since its inception in 2002, initially serving as a co-host alongside Brian Dunkleman for the first season. Dunkleman ultimately quit after Season 1, leading Seacrest to become the sole emcee since then.
Seacrest’s plate remains full, as on top of American Idol, he’s also hosting Wheel of Fortune, which can take up a chunk of the day. However, Seacrest seemed to have done pretty well last season, or he wouldn’t have agreed to return. Plus, hosting Wheel of Fortune at the same time as American Idol is probably a cakewalk for him after flying between New York and LA while he was co-hosting Live with Kelly & Ryan. He’s also probably going to start filming Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episodes soon, but it’s nothing he can’t handle.
Meanwhile, Seacrest’s return to Idol is not so surprising. Last month, sources told Deadline that although he hadn’t closed his deal yet, he was “fully expected to return.” Auditions for Season 24 also kicked off last month with a nationwide virtual talent search through Sept. 24 to find the next American Idol. Jamal Roberts won Season 23 in May, beating out finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix.
It’s unknown how much longer Ryan Seacrest plans to host American Idol, but he doesn’t seem to be giving up that job any time soon. A premiere date for American Idol’s new season has not been announced, but it will premiere sometime in early 2026 on ABC. The wait will be worth it, especially since auditions are currently going on. The Disney-owned network likely won’t reveal premiere dates for midseason for another few months, but most seasons in recent years have premiered in either February or March. There will be a lot to look forward to in Season 24 of American Idol, and a lot more aspiring singers to obsess over when it returns in early 2026 on ABC.
More Reality
-
Photo by Ser Baffo/Disney via Getty Images) -
Photo by Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images -
Mel B at the "America's Got Talent" Season 21 Red Carpet held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images) -
“Reverse the Curse” – Back from tribal, tensions rise following the exit of a particularly historic player. The final five immunity challenge ends in a showdown and features one of the closest finishes the show has ever seen. Jeff reveals the outcomes of the remaining in-game fan votes and how they impact the final stage of the competition. Then, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $2 million prize, during the three-hour live season finale, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured: Aubry Bracco Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -
“A Side Dish of Chaos” – One castaway comes clean to the tribe about a previously deceptive move. The crowd favorite SURVIVOR auction returns, with an extra special season 50 spin. Chaos ensues when social media icon MrBeast arrives on the scene, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, April 29 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: West Wilson, Amanda Batula and Jesse Solomon attend Bravo's "Summer House" Season 10 at 92NY on January 28, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
