Luke Bryan Returns For Season 5 Of ‘American Idol’

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Pictured (L-R): Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest, and Luke Bryan. Photo: ABC/Eric McCandless

Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, alongside veteran host Ryan Seacrest, are returning for American Idol‘s fifth season on ABC and 20th overall as the show returns next spring. Season five auditions will kick off this Friday, Aug. 6 with the return of Idol Across America, the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar.

For the second year in a row, Idol Across America offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an Idol producer from anywhere in America across any official audition date. Last season’s first-ever Idol Across America virtual auditions successfully kicked off many hopefuls American Idol journeys, including ABC’s season-four winner Chayce Beckham.

“Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan are music and industry icons that have become synonymous with Idol on ABC,” says Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “Their star power is unmatched, and their support is a gift to our contestants that have deeply benefited from their wisdom over the past four seasons—and they’re ready to do it again. As we begin a momentous season, I think it’s safe to say this dream team has officially cemented their legacy on ‘Idol.’”

“We are thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan will be back to help discover our next American Idol,” shares executive producer Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media. “This dream team has selected and guided some of the most talented ‘Idol’ contestants in the history of the series, and we can’t wait to see who they’ll find next.”

Last season, ABC’s American Idol ranked as the No. 1 series in its two-hour time period for the second year in a row among Adults 18-49. In addition, American Idol finished among the Top 5 unscripted series last season with Total Viewers.

Contestants must be at least 15 years old to audition and may do so on any Idol Across America date regardless of your location. For information on how to sign up for Idol Across America, click here.

Idol Across America Auditions (subject to change):
Aug. 6 – Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Aug. 8 – Connecticut, New Jersey, New York
Aug. 11 – Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Aug. 13 – Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia
Aug. 16 – Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
Aug. 18 – Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee
Aug. 21 – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada
Aug. 23 – Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Aug. 25 – Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin
Aug. 27 – Open Call: Nationwide
Aug. 31 – Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah
Sept. 2 – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Sept. 8 – Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.
Sept. 10 – Open Call: The South
Sept. 13 – Open Call: East Coast
Sept. 16 – Open Call: West Coast
Sept. 21 – Open Call: Nationwide

Lorie Hollabaugh
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