The search is already underway for the next American Idol heading into Season 9 on ABC (Season 24 overall). Hopefuls have been invited to sign up via the “Idol Across America” website to receive a virtual audition slot with a producer via Zoom. They sing live with the potential to receive virtual callbacks or advance straight to in-person and eventually receive a golden ticket to the iconic Hollywood Week.

Who will be able to sing in front of judges Lionel Richie , Luke Bryan , and Carrie Underwood ? There are audition days ultimately scheduled for all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. It’s the sixth year the popular singing competition has offered this option, born out of COVID era.

Showrunner and EP Megan Michaels Wolflick has witnessed the evolution firsthand,

See Full Page