Although “American Idol” fans are only just beginning to meet the contestants of season 24, the show’s judges have already narrowed down the competition behind the scenes, filming the next round in Hawaii.
As the new season premiered on January 26, 2026, host Ryan Seacrest and judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie attended a premiere party at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa, where they schmoozed with a group of influencers who will mentor the remaining contestants for the new Ohana round.
Carrie Underwood Let Loose at ‘American Idol’ Premiere Party
DisneyUnderwood, wearing a sundress and Hawaiian flower crown, looked relaxed and happy at the premiere party, where she was seen chatting up attendees, pretending to pick her own nose on a TV screen playing the premiere episode, and playfully letting “Dancing With the Stars” pro Sasha Farber dip her.
The party was attended by many of the “industry tastemakers” producers have recruited for a new “Ohana” round taking place with the 30 contestants who’ve excelled through their auditions and Hollywood Week.
According to a release from ABC, those experts — from Rolling Stone co-editor-in-chief Shirley Halperin to Grand Ole Opry’s first female announcer, Kelly Sutton — will provide contestants with the “ultimate focus group,” giving them feedback and guidance before their on-stage, oceanside performances, which Reel News Hawaii reported will be filmed on January 29 and 30
‘American Idol’ Cast Weighs In on New Season During Premiere
Of the remaining 30 contestants who made it to Hawaii, 24 will move on to the live voting rounds. Celebrity reporter Dean McCarthy, who often reports from behind the scenes at “American Idol,” shared a video on January 27 from the premiere party, promising fans a season of “big voices, big moments, and some surprises you don’t want to miss.”
Richie told him this season’s contestants are “oozing talent,” noting that he never thinks they’ll be able to match the level of talent seen during the previous season.
“The problem with us is we’re getting to that point now where we don’t want anyone to leave,” Richie lamented. “It’s that good.”
Underwood told McCarthy, “It’s a beautiful thing to see somebody just shooting for the stars and going for it.”
In 2025, season 23 was won by gospel and R&B powerhouse Jamal Roberts, who already has earned his first Grammy nomination. Executive producer Megan Michaels Woflick told McCarthy she knows they have “big shoes to fill from Jamal last year, so we really have to level up.”
Bryan then noted, “Every year, ‘American Idol’ figures out little ways to reinvent themselves and stay fresh, and stay relevant.”
“American Idol” airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern time, but the premiere episode will re-air on ABC on January 31 at 9 p.m. Eastern time.