Judges of American Idol

American Idol is one of the most popular singing competitions in the world. The show is created by Simon Fuller and produced by 19 Entertainment and Fremantle North America. The show first aired on June 11, 2002, on Fox, and ran till April 7, 2016. After 15 seasons, the show took a break for 2 years. The show aired again on March 11, 2018, on ABC. The concept is to find new singers with talent, who are not signed with any labels. Contestants from all over the United States compete for a chance to win the title of American Idol and launch their music careers. The winner of the show is chosen by American viewers who vote using phones, the internet, and text messages.

A big part of the show’s success comes from its judges. The judges listen to contestants, give feedback, and decide who will stay in the competition. They help in contestants' journeys by giving them professional advice and constructive criticism. Over the years, American Idol has had many different judges, including Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry and more. The show has helped discover many talented artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino, and more. Winning or even reaching the final stages of the competition can change a singer's life, leading to record deals, concerts, and international fame. Let’s take a look at the current judges of American Idol.

Luke Bryan (2018–present)

Luke Bryan is a country music singer and songwriter born on July 17, 1976, in Georgia, U.S. He is also a popular TV personality and released his first album in 2007. His first album was I’ll Stay Me released by Capitol Nashville. He has released 34 singles, 8 studio albums, and 8 EPs. He has sold over 75 million records.

He joined American Idol as a judge in 2018. He is known for his friendly and encouraging attitude toward contestants. Bryan gives honest yet supportive feedback and enjoys mentoring young singers who dream of making it big. In an interview with Parade, Luke shared what he loves about American Idol. He said, “What I like about American Idol is the contestants and their stories.” He added, “It’s our job to hopefully change their lives, and we do it from the heart.”

Lionel Richie (2018–present)

Lionel Richie is a legendary American singer-songwriter, record producer, and TV personality. He started his career in the 1970s as a songwriter and was also a part of the group Commodores by Motown. In 1981, he wrote, produced, and recorded a song “Endless Love”, a duet with Diana Ross. Lionel released his first solo song “Truly” in 1982. He has a career spanning several decades and during his long career he has won many awards including 4 Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards, a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award, and more.

He became a judge on American Idol in 2018 and has been a fan favorite ever since. Richie is known for his warm and wise advice, helping contestants believe in themselves and improve their performances. In an interview with Parade, he shared his views on the show. He said, “What I love most about American Idol is when they discover who they are.” In a recent episode, Lionel shared his views on the audition process. He said, “If they can bring me the artist, which means the voice matches the personality matches the intrigue, then we have a person going to the next round.”

Carrie Underwood (2025–present)

Carrie Underwood is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on March 10, 1983, in Oklahoma, U.S. She rose to fame when she won the fourth season of American Idol. In 2005, she released her first single, “inside your heaven”, on June 14. Carrie's debut album “Some Heart” topped the Billboard Top Country Albums. Her album became the best selling album of 2006. She is known for hit songs like "Before He Cheats," "Jesus, Take the Wheel," and "Blown Away." She has won many awards including 8 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 17 American Music Awards, and more.

Carrie Underwood is one of the most successful winners of American Idol. In 2025, she will be joining the show as a judge, replacing Katy Perry who was one of the judges for 7 years. In an interview with Parade, Carrie shared about her experience as a judge on the show. She said, “The thing that excites me about American Idol is being able to be a part of somebody’s story.” She added, “People bring their kids in, and I get to snuggle with a kid while watching their mom.”

Also read: List of American Idol winner over the years