Luke Bryandoesn’t know if he’s giving his judging days the (cowboy) boot.
It’s uncertain if the judge for American Idol will definitely be back for season 24 on ABC, as no official air date has been announced at this time.
In his interview with Taste of Country on July 30, Luke said that the decision about whether to continue as an idol is more like a year-by-year question for him: “Do we proceed or not?” He added that he’ll wait and observe what unfolds in the future.
However, the country singer expresses doubts about his future on American Idol, yet he fondly recalls his time working with judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest during season 23.
Luke went on saying, “Last year was exceptionally enjoyable with Carrie, Lionel, and Ryan. Essentially, my advice is to enjoy every moment of American Idol and the contestants as well.
Is there any information about whether the “Rain is a Good Thing” singer feels that Season 4 winner Carrie enjoyed her time as a judge? It’s said that he believes she truly relished the experience.
Luke mentioned that he was certain Carrie enjoyed her part, and he hoped with confidence that she’d rejoin the panel for Season 24.
Additionally, the singer behind “Before He Cheats” has received endorsement from the esteemed former judge on American Idol, Simon Cowell.
The judge from America’s Got Talent expressed his approval, stating to TopMob News in September, “I believe this is an excellent decision.” He and Carrie have a long history together. I can still recall her audition as if it were just yesterday. She was incredibly talented, and she’s simply a wonderful individual.
Simon also offered some advice for the judging table’s newest addition.
He suggested, “Simply express your emotions.” He assured them, “This task isn’t complicated at all. Trust me on that. We all experience similar feelings, yet we don’t always see eye to eye, which is great. Life would be dull if we always agreed. So, savor the moment.
Carrie made a conscious decision to foster a positive outlook for herself – a marked difference from Simon’s early image during his time on American Idol.
She expressed during SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour last August that she aims to be sincere, helpful, and considerate all at once. In essence, she believes that being truthful, offering useful suggestions, and maintaining kindness are crucial because people are pursuing their dreams when they come in, and you become a part of their story from that very moment on.
Read on to see what other notable American Idol alums are up to these days.
I, a devoted admirer, have witnessed the remarkable journey of River and Remy’s mom. Back in 2002, she was just another contestant on the first season of American Idol. Fast forward, she’s now a three-time Grammy winner, boasting three number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She graced NBC’s The Voice as a judge and currently hosts her own successful daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. Her story is truly inspiring!
In September 2008, the second runner-up from season two made a significant announcement – the birth of his son Parker, with music producer Jaymes Foster, prompted him to publicly come out. He explained on Good Morning America that he couldn’t raise a child and teach him dishonesty or secrecy while living in an environment where it wasn’t acceptable for him to be himself. Since then, the well-known redhead transitioned from music to politics, even attempting to secure a seat in Congress in 2016. After his election loss, he produced a documentary chronicling his journey. However, he hasn’t entirely abandoned music; he toured the country with season two champion Ruben Studdard in 2023 and 2024.
Following his victory on season two of American Idol, Ruben earned a Grammy nomination and put out several popular albums. Later in 2013, the artist appeared as a contestant on The Biggest Loser and soon gained popularity among fans. Despite being eliminated twice, he learned valuable lessons from the show.
Even though he maintains a close relationship with Clay, Ruben found his lifelong partner in wife Kristin, who gave birth to their second child in 2024.
To put it simply, the season three champion expresses her gratitude for every part of her journey. Speaking with TopMob News in December 2023, she said, “We all go through challenges, sometimes you stumble, but you pick yourself up again.” Despite facing difficult situations, she added, “For me, having to lose everything twice and struggle to return, it’s a great feeling.”
Her recent achievements include the birth of daughter Keziah with husband Kendall Taylor in 2021 and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the remake of The Color Purple. The North Carolina native, who is also mother to adult daughter Zion, stated, “I want to savor this moment and understand that I’ve worked hard to get here.
Although she didn’t win season three, let me assure you that the musician has more than made up for it: First, an Oscar in 2006 for “Dreamgirls,” followed by a Grammy in 2017 for her work on the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” She also served as a judge on “The Voice.” Her upcoming project is particularly exciting – a talk show under her own name, which she will be hosting as a mom to son David.
Since the day she first appeared on the stage of American Idol, Carrie secured her spot in popular culture. As expected, not only did she win season four, but she’s also known as the queen of country music.
Later on, she co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards for over a decade alongside artist Brad Paisley. Amid juggling her music career and hosting responsibilities, Carrie is a mother to her two sons, sharing this role with retired NHL center Mike Fisher.
In the year 2024, it was revealed that Carrie would be rejoining American Idol, taking over Katy Perry’s position as a judge on the popular TV show this time around.
Four years ago, the second place finalist tied the knot and now has four children: three sons and a daughter. In spite of facing severe health issues back in 2006, the renowned Southern rocker has produced numerous successful albums since his time on American Idol.
As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say that Constantine, with his grand mane and booming vocals, was an ideal choice for the Broadway production of “Rock of Ages,” where he received a Tony nomination following his impressive performance during season four. His rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” left quite an impact. Fast forward to 2023, he became a father to Malena (born in 2010) and graced the screen again as the star of the film “Rock & Roll Man.
Following his season-five win, the silver fox saw his self-titled album achieve platinum status and took on a role in a Broadway production of “Grease”. Transitioning from music to television in 2016, he became the host of a program called “State-Plate”, which emphasized farm-to-table dining. Yet, he has not abandoned his initial passion and still tours his music extensively.
A while before Justin Bieber’s fame, there was McPhee fever that propelled Katharine into both singing and acting roles, notably in the musical-inspired show “Smash” and the drama “Scorpion”. Married to David Foster since 2019, she is now a mother to their musically-gifted son Rennie. In an interview with TopMob News in 2023, Katharine expressed her hope that he would follow his father’s footsteps and master various musical instruments. “We’re not forcing him,” she said. “He’s just doing what he wants to do. But I would love for him to have a good grasp of many different types of instruments, similar to his dad. I think he’s on the right path—that’s for sure.
Following his stint on “American Idol,” season five finalist who achieved success with the song “Wait for You” traveled to Angola and collaborated with former judge Kara DioGuardi to advocate for Malaria No More. Notably, Elliott also gained attention in 2010 when he survived Chile’s earthquake and used Twitter to share his experiences. As a dedicated father, he has a daughter named Camilla with Karen Cruz while continuing his music career.
During the fifth season of American Idol, the country music performer ended up in sixth place. However, she went on to act in Hallmark’s movie titled Christmas in Graceland, and received three Emmy nominations for her daytime TV show called Pickler & Ben.
After the unfortunate suicide of her husband, Kyle Jacobs, in February 2023, she looked back on their time together. As she shared with People, one valuable lesson her husband taught her was to remain calm during a crisis: “If you’re unsure of what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.'” True to his advice, she chose to follow it in 2023.
In 2007, as the youngest female winner ever, she ignited a lot of excitement. Her Battlefield tour took her to 35 cities across the United States, and even more impressively, she made her Broadway debut in the 2010 production of In the Heights. Since then, her success and good fortune have flourished, culminating in the birth of her first son with Dana Isaiah in May 2018. Over the years, she has returned to Idol with an emotional performance and competed on the 31st season of Dancing With the Stars.
The champion of season seven, renowned for his smash hit “Time of My Life,” may symbolize his singing triumphs, yet the song’s title could just as aptly describe his activities beyond the stage. In 2010, David traveled to Ethiopia as part of the United Nations’ mission to empower women in that nation. Additionally, he participated in the Race for Hope in Washington D.C., raising funds for brain cancer research in memory of his late brother Adam.
Since 2015, he has been married to Racheal Stump. The ongoing musician launched his newest single “TABOS” in 2022.
Following my runner-up stint alongside David during season seven, I immersed myself in a two-year religious service for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, specifically in Chile. Upon my 2014 return, I’ve been consistently gracing stages with my performances.
In June 2021, I bravely stepped forward to announce my membership within the LGBTQ+ community. Sharing my journey on Instagram in October 2023, I expressed, “It has been a beautiful adventure learning to embrace myself, and I aspire that by living authentically, I may inspire many of you out there to do the same.
As the season 8 champion, I found myself overshadowed by Adam Lambert in media headlines, but quietly, my second self-titled album has been a success. Released in November 2009, it debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, and one of its tracks, “I Need to Know,” graced an episode of The Vampire Diaries. Meanwhile, my life off-stage has blossomed as I’ve welcomed three children with my high school sweetheart, Katy O’Connell.
If publicity were considered a trophy, the contentious runner-up from the eighth season would undoubtedly be crowned as a grand-slam winner. Ever since his stint on the show, he has released numerous albums, spearheaded tours, accumulated countless award nominations, followed in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury performing as the frontman for Queen, and even starred in Fox’s reimagining of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Notably, he also served as a temporary judge on Idol, and he helped kick off the 2019 Oscars with a performance of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.
In the year 2012, Gokey tied the knot with his current spouse, Leyicet Peralta, following season eight of “American Idol”. Together they are parents to four lovely kids.
As a three-times Grammy nominee, he launched the Christian album “Jesus People” in 2021. Additionally, he runs an eyewear business under the name Danny Gokey Eyewear.
Following his inclusion in the top 10 finalists’ summer tour in 2010, the season nine winner embarked on his solo music journey. Lee tied the knot with model-actress Jonna Walsh in 2012, having met her during the filming of his first post-Idol music video. Currently, this star is a renowned singer-songwriter, with several of his songs featured on popular shows such as The Walking Dead.
In the ninth season, a rock artist with a resemblance to Janis Joplin got married to musician Brian Walker. She put out her debut album titled “Farmer’s Daughter” in December 2010. Unfortunately, she lost her record deal when RCA dismantled Arista, J Records, and Jive Records. However, she made her acting debut on the second season of ABC’s “Body of Proof.”
Following her divorce in May 2013, she revealed to The Boot that her second album “All That For This” was a new chapter in her life.
The winner of season 10 became the first Idol champion since Ruben to debut his first album, “Clear as Day,” at number one on the Billboard 200. He was awarded New Artist of the Year at the 2011 American Country Awards and performed the national anthem prior to Game 1 of the World Series that year. In June 2018, the singer of “This Is It” and “Five More Minutes” tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Gabi Dugal. Their son, Avery, was born in October 2022.
After coming in second to Scotty on American Idol, the beloved country artist secured a record deal and launched her studio debut, “Wildflower,” in October 2011. Following Idol, she shared the stage with Scotty at the 2011 CMT Music Awards, made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and even performed alongside Martina McBride at the CMA Music Festival.
In 2017, she earned her first recognition from the CMAs when nominated for Best New Artist after the success of her album, “Road Less Traveled.” She also ventured into acting, starring in a film named after the same album.
The singer known as “Thicc As Thieves” announced her engagement to Cam Arnold during a Grand Ole Opry performance in November 2022. They tied the knot in February 2024.
In the tenth season, he didn’t manage to win, finishing sixth instead. Part of the reason for this was that the judges had used their one save from five weeks earlier. However, he was quite popular among fans. He went on to perform on American Idol Live tour, collaborated with fellow finalist and rumored love interest Haley Reinhart on a cover of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, and eventually signed with jazz label Concord.
His first album, self-titled, was released in 2012, followed by “I Put A Spell On You” in 2018 and “Jazz” in 2019.
In season 10, Jimmie was eliminated before the live voting rounds, but he’s since achieved remarkable success with two back-to-back No. 1 hits (“Best Shot” and “Make Me Want To”) in 2018, and winning the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year in 2021.
In April 2023, Jimmie and his wife, Alexis Allen, announced they were expecting their third child and were ending their two-year marriage. However, about a month later, Jimmie was accused of sexual assault and abuse by his former manager in a lawsuit. Although he admitted to infidelity and apologized to Alexis for embarrassing her with the affair, he refuted the allegations of sexual misconduct, claiming the relationship with his former manager was consensual.
Shortly after welcoming their son, Cohen Ace James, in September, Jimmie and Alexis announced they were working to reconcile their marriage.
Following his victory in season 11, the musician ascended to the pinnacle of music charts with his chart-topping single “Home,” which was additionally used as the theme tune for NBC’s broadcast of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In 2015, he tied the knot with his girlfriend Hannah Blackwell in an intimate ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Four years later, they became parents for the first time, welcoming a son named Patch into their family.
The season 16 winner hinted to TopMob News before the release of the aptly titled Whirlwind in 2019, a year after her American Idol victory, that there would be a variety of unique sounds on the album. She explained that she couldn’t choose one specific style because she adores them all so deeply and it’s challenging to remain consistent within one genre.
After finishing as the runner-up in season 16, the singer has primarily been working on producing new music and seizing the chances that come with being on ABC’s series. In an interview with TopMob News, Caleb Lee expressed, “I’ve always been passionate about music and aspired to be an artist. However, my experience in the entertainment industry has been enlightening. I even had the opportunity to attend Luke Bryan’s final show for his tour and sing a song alongside him.” He launched his latest album, titled Southern Galactic, in October 2023.
Following her third-place finish in season 16 of “Idol,” the country singer known for “I Hope” has been diligently working on completing her album. Speaking with TopMob News, she expressed her eagerness to perform at Stagecoach and considered touring with Brad Paisley as a delightful bonus. “It’s amazing to go on tour with him,” she shared.
Approaching two years since they became parents for the first time, sharing daughter Baylah with fellow alum Cade Foehner, they expanded their family in October 2022 by welcoming son Augustine. In February 2024, they welcomed their third child.
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2025-08-01 17:07