RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Billboard — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sources
American Idol is officially coming back for a 25th season. The legendary music competition show confirmed on Wednesday morning (July 29) that it will be back on the air next year for its silver jubilee edition, premiering on an as-yet-unannounced date in 2027 on ABC and then streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu; once the show goes live, episodes will also stream live on Disney+.
The news came just months after Missouri mom Hannah Harper won season 24 , marking the first win by a female country singer since judge Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005. At press time, the show had not confirmed whether OG host Ryan Seacrest or judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Underwood would be returning next year, or the premiere date for season 25. Richie, Bryan and Katy Perry joined Idol in 2018, when the show jumped to ABC after a 14-year run on original network Fox; Underwood took over for Perry in 2025.
Season 25 will kick off in earnest on Aug. 25 when auditions launch as part of the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual talent search that will search for the next singing star in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Aspiring vocalists will get the chance to shoot their shot for an Idol producer from wherever they are, on any audition date for a chance to move on to the judge auditions.
There will also be open-call audition dates, with auditions open worldwide for any eligible contestants. (See the full list of open-call audition dates below). Click here for additional information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America”; contenders can audition on any “Idol Across America” date, regardless of location. Contestants must be 15 years or older by Feb. 15, 2027 to audition and video auditions will be accepted if you cannot attend your state’s date.
“Idol Across America” open-audition dates/cities:
VIP Day (Aug. 25): First 250 singers who register will secure a spot, once all spots are claimed, registration for this date closes.
Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 26)
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Aug. 27)
The South Open Call (Aug. 31)
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sept. 1)
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sept. 2)
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Sept. 8)
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sept. 9)
Nationwide Open Call (Sept. 11)
East Coast Open Call (Sept. 14)
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Sept. 16)
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont (Sept. 18)
West and Midwest Open Call (Sept. 21)
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Sept. 23)
Delaware; Maryland; Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Rhode Island; Massachusetts (Sept. 25)
Nationwide Open Call (Sept. 28)
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.