Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie & Carrie Underwood To Return As Judges On ‘American Idol’
Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood will return as judges on American Idol, following their celebrated debut as a judge trio last season.
Season nine auditions kick off on Aug. 26, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for contestants. More information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and to register to virtually audition in front of a producer is available here. Contenders may audition on any “Idol Across America” date, regardless of location.

“Idol Across America” Dates:
“First 900” VIP Event (Aug. 26)
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 27)
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 28)
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Sept. 2)
Nationwide open call (Sept. 3)
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Sept. 4)
Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee (Sept. 8)
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sept. 9)
Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Sept. 11)
East Coast open call (Sept. 12)
The South open call (Sept. 15)
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sept. 16)
West and Midwest open call (Sept. 18)
Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. (Sept. 19)
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sept. 22)
Nationwide open call (Sept. 24)
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