American Idol Season 24: Luke Bryan’s Exit & New Judges? Why Luke Bryan Might Leave

American Idol Season 24, set for 2026 on ABC, might see a major shakeup as Luke Bryan hints at leaving, per Taste of Country in July 2025.

 I was just telling a friend how this news, after Katy Perry’s 2024 exit and Carrie Underwood’s Season 23 debut, got X buzzing with 15,000 posts in August 2025 pushing for a female pop star like Meghan Trainor or even Perry’s return. Why’s American Idol Season 24 a big deal for entertainment journalists? The show’s 2.5 million premiere viewers last season, per Nielsen, prove it’s a ratings giant. A new judge could shift its vibe, especially after Season 23’s country-heavy criticism, per Collider. Get the judge lineup wrong, like choosing someone with no TV spark, and you risk losing fans, as seen with past flops like Harry Connick Jr.’s stiff run, per Variety. Let’s dig into why Bryan might go, who could replace him, and what it means for Idol’s future.

Why Luke Bryan Might Leave American Idol Season 24

Luke Bryan, a judge since 2018, told Taste of Country in July 2025 that he’s unsure about returning for American Idol Season 24, calling it a “year-by-year” choice. Why’s this matter? His exit could refresh the show, which saw a 10% ratings drop from Season 22’s 3.1 million premiere viewers, per Nielsen. Fans want new voices.

 Bryan, 47, juggles judging with touring and raising two teens, which he called “chaotic” in People in 2023. Staying too long risks repetitive critiques, as Season 23 felt like “Nashville Star,” per Collider. If he stays, Idol could lose pop fans, with X posts in August 2025 calling his feedback “samey.” His indecision forces ABC to plan fast, per Hello Magazine. A bad move could further dent viewership, already down 5% last season, per Nielsen.

The Push for a Female Pop Star Judge

Fans and critics are clamoring for a female pop star like Meghan Trainor, Kesha, or Miley Cyrus to join American Idol Season 24’s panel. Why’s this a big deal? Idol’s male-heavy panels (often 2:1) limit diversity, and women made up 55% of Season 23’s audience, per Nielsen. A female-majority panel with Lionel Richie could be historic, per Collider. Trainor, who called judging her “dream job” on Watch What Happens Live in June 2024, has experience from The Voice UK. Kesha’s industry battles add grit, per Collider. Picking someone without TV experience, like Nicki Minaj’s Season 12 clashes, risks bad chemistry, per Variety. A poor fit could drop ratings, as 60% of viewers value judge banter, per a 2024 ABC poll. X posts in July 2025, with 10,000 Trainor mentions, show strong fan support, per Sprout Social.

Meghan Trainor’s Campaign for American Idol Season 24

Meghan Trainor’s been vocal about wanting to judge American Idol Season 24, calling it her “dream job” on Watch What Happens Live in June 2024. Why’s this matter? Her mentoring on Season 22 and judging on The Voice UK make her a strong pick, per TheWrap. She emailed three Idol contacts, per People, and got nods from Ryan Seacrest and Bryan for her “witty” style. Her Instagram following grew 15% after her Idol stint, per Instagram analytics. Overhyping without a contract risks looking desperate, as seen with past unfulfilled rumors. No updates by August 2025, per E! Online, could frustrate fans, with X posts in July joking she’s “still checking emails.” Her Timeless tour, ending in 2025, might clash with filming, per MusicTimes. A bad fit could hurt her cred and Idol’s vibe.

Could Katy Perry Return to American Idol Season 24?

Katy Perry, who left after Season 22 for music, hinted at a return, telling TV Insider in April 2024 to “keep my seat warm.” Why’s this big? Her exit dropped finale viewership to 2.3 million, per Nielsen, and 70% of fans miss her, per a TV Insider poll. Her 2024 album and tour are done, freeing her schedule, per TheDirect. Her “heartfelt” critiques shaped Idol, per People, but her polarizing Season 22 comments upset 20% of viewers, per X posts in 2024. Returning too soon could seem flaky and overshadow new talent. X posts in August 2025 are split, with some fans wanting her back for nostalgia. A comeback could boost ratings but risks backlash if it feels forced. Her 2018-2024 run defined Idol’s reboot, per Wikipedia.

Other Contenders for American Idol Season 24

Kesha, Miley Cyrus, and Jordin Sparks are fan favorites to join American Idol Season 24. Why’s this matter? Kesha’s legal battles, Cyrus’ Voice coaching, and Sparks’ Season 6 win offer mentorship depth, per Collider. A 2024 ABC poll shows 65% want a pop star. Kesha’s grit, Cyrus’ star power, and Sparks’ Idol history fit the vibe, per Wikipedia. Picking someone without mentoring skills, like Mariah Carey’s “cold” Season 12 stint, risks weak feedback, per Variety. A bad choice could stall contestant growth, as 50% of viewers value mentorship, per a 2024 Hallmark survey. X posts in July 2025 love Sparks’ “homecoming” idea, with 5,000 mentions. Sparks’ Broadway experience adds flair, per Collider, but scheduling conflicts could block any of them.

Impact of a Female-Majority Panel on American Idol Season 24

A female-majority panel with Carrie Underwood and a pop star could change American Idol Season 24’s dynamic, historically male-dominated. Why’s this matter? Women were 55% of Season 23’s audience, per Nielsen, and a female-led panel could boost engagement, like The Voice’s 10% ratings spike with Shakira. Pairing Underwood’s country roots with a pop star like Cyrus balances genres, with Richie anchoring, per Collider. Ignoring chemistry risks conflict, as Season 12’s Minaj-Carey feud dropped viewership 15%, per Variety. Poor dynamics could alienate fans, as 80% value judge banter, per a 2024 ABC poll. Underwood’s debut drew 20,000 X mentions in May 2025, per Sprout Social. A strong female panel could draw more viewers but needs careful casting to avoid drama.

Challenges of Changing American Idol Season 24’s Panel

Swapping judges risks fan backlash but can revive American Idol Season 24, which saw a 5% viewership dip in Season 23, per Nielsen. Why’s this matter? Judge changes shape the brand, with Perry’s exit sparking 15,000 X posts in February 2024, per Sprout Social. ABC tests judges for chemistry, per TheWrap, with Season 24 auditions starting May 2025, per Wikipedia. Rushing picks leads to flops, like Harry Connick Jr.’s “stiff” Season 13-15 run, which lost 10% of viewers, per Variety. A weak panel could hurt Idol against streaming rivals like The Voice. X posts in July 2025 fear a “boring” Season 24 without change. Underwood’s debut set a high bar, per TVShowsAce, making the next pick critical.

FAQ

Why might Luke Bryan leave American Idol Season 24?
Bryan told Taste of Country in July 2025 he’s unsure, citing a year-by-year approach. His touring and family life with two teens strain his schedule, per People. Staying risks stale critiques, as Season 23 felt too country, per Collider. X posts in August 2025 want fresh voices.

Who is Meghan Trainor, and why does she want to judge?
Trainor, 30, called judging Idol her “dream job” on Watch What Happens Live in June 2024. She mentored Season 22 and judged The Voice UK, per TheWrap. Her eagerness risks seeming desperate, but Seacrest and Bryan back her, per E! Online.

Could Katy Perry return to American Idol Season 24?
Perry hinted at returning, per TV Insider in April 2024. Her tour ended, freeing her schedule, per TheDirect. Her exit dropped finale viewers to 2.3 million, per Nielsen. X posts in August 2025 are mixed on her comeback.

Why consider Kesha, Cyrus, or Sparks for American Idol Season 24?
Kesha’s battles, Cyrus’ Voice coaching, and Sparks’ Season 6 win offer depth, per Collider. A pop star diversifies the panel, as 65% of fans want one, per a 2024 ABC poll. Poor fits risk weak chemistry, per Variety.

What’s the benefit of a female-majority panel for American Idol Season 24?
It appeals to Idol’s 55% female audience, per Nielsen, and could boost ratings, like The Voice’s Shakira era. Chemistry is key; Season 12’s feuds hurt viewership, per Variety. X posts in August 2025 want a “fun” female-led panel.

Where can I watch American Idol Season 24?
It premieres in 2026 on ABC, streaming next day on Hulu. Past seasons are on Hulu and BritBox. Missing the premiere risks spoilers, flooding X post-airing, per TV Insider.

American Idol Season 24 could see Luke Bryan exit, with fans on X pushing for a female pop star like Meghan Trainor, Kesha, Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, or Katy Perry’s return. Bryan’s indecision, per Taste of Country, follows a 10% ratings drop, per Nielsen. A female-majority panel could boost the show’s 55% female audience, but chemistry is key, per Collider. A bad pick risks losing fans, as seen with past flops. Who should join Underwood and Richie? Drop your pick in the comments!