Luke Bryan's 'Idol' Future: Will He Return? Plus Carrie Underwood Update!

Is Luke Bryan hanging up his hat as an American Idol judge? The country superstar recently hinted that his return for Season 24 isn't a sure thing. In an interview, Bryan stated, "Idol is kind of a year-by-year, 'Do we do it or not?' We'll see what happens."

Bryan's comments have sparked speculation among fans. He's been a staple on the judging panel since 2018, alongside Lionel Richie. The pair were joined by Katy Perry for several seasons before Carrie Underwood stepped in for Season 23.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future, Bryan spoke highly of Underwood's performance as a judge. "[She] really enjoyed it," Bryan said. "I know she had a great time in the role." He added that his "prediction would be highly favorable" that Underwood would return for another season.

Bryan reminisced about his experience on Season 23. "Last year was really, really incredible with Carrie and Lionel and Ryan [Seacrest]," he said. "And the main thing is just, have fun with American Idol and have fun with the kids [contestants]."

So, what's the hold-up? Bryan has previously mentioned that he and Richie operate on one-year contracts that are renewed before each season. He also noted that Disney, ABC's parent company, tends to be tight-lipped about these decisions. Fans will have to wait and see if Bryan decides to return to the Idol stage.

Luke Bryan's 'American Idol' Salary

While the exact figures are not publicly available, reports suggest that Luke Bryan earns around $12 million per season of American Idol. Carrie Underwood's salary for her first season was estimated to be between $10 million and $12.5 million.

What's Next for American Idol?

A premiere date for Season 24 is expected to be announced once the judging panel is finalized. Stay tuned for updates!