American Idol to make major shakeup to new season in nod to fan-favorite judge Carrie Underwood

It’s the ‘first time ever’ a change like this has been made to the long-running show

AMERICAN Idol is set to make a major shakeup to the upcoming season – and the new move is a nod to judge Carrie Underwood, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.

Filming for American Idol’s 34th season is already underway, and when it premieres in early 2026, longtime fans of the franchise can expect some big changes they’ve never seen before.

American Idol judges from L-R: Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke BryanCredit: Getty

Carrie Underwood stuns during season 23 of American IdolCredit: Getty
Auditions for the upcoming season of Idol began over the Summer, with a bulk of the filming captured in September.

Along with newcomer Carrie, 42, returning judges Lionel Richie, 76, and Luke Bryan, 49, will also be back to look for America’s next best singer.

While the A-list panel of superstar judges will remain the same, other factors of the show are getting a facelift.

“The next season of American Idol will have all different kinds of shakeups and changes.

“The big one is Hollywood Week is going to look a lot less Hollywood.

“The Hollywood Week tapings will be at Belmont University. Production will film at the school’s Fisher Center in early November. They’re going to be calling it ‘Hollywood Week in Music City.’

“The show also filmed auditions at Belmont back in September and is returning after landing an overall filming partnership with the university.

“Special virtual auditions for Belmont students were set up for September as part of the partnership.”

Singer Jelly Roll joins judges Luke, Carrie, and LionelCredit: Getty

American Idol contestants receive feedback after competing in Hollywood WeeCredit: Getty
The insider added that Carrie and Luke’s strong ties to the town and music industry in Nashville made the city a “perfect spot” to try out the new Hollywood Week move.

“It’s an unprecedented move, but execs think it will pay off and be a fun change to a storied tradition,” they added.

GONE HOLLYWOOD

Typically, Hollywood Week is filmed in Los Angeles and is often hailed as the most grueling week of the competition for contestants.

Contestants who earned a golden ticket during auditions are flown to California from all over the country for what is essentially a music industry boot camp.

The contestants, many of whom have never performed on a real stage before, learn how to move around with a live band and in front of a crowd.

They are also given stern critiques from the judges in hopes they’ll take the feedback and improve throughout the season.

Long nights with little to no sleep and high-pressure performances under a mountain of stress have led to the time being a point of pain for many past contestants.

And despite the hard work, not everyone can continue on – as Hollywood Week is also known for its harsh move of dividing up the singing hopefuls into three rooms and completely cutting an entire group.

BACK TO HER ROOTS

Last year, the special Hollywood week also made a nod to Carrie.

For the Showstoppers Showcase during Hollywood Week, producers chose to film at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA.

The venue is the same exact space Carrie filmed her Hollywood Week at as a contestant back in 2005.

“The Orpheum Theatre was Carrie’s first time performing on a real stage and being in LA so it has a lot of sentimental value.

“That was definitely a consideration when it came to the decision of choosing where to film for this season.

“It was the first time Carrie had been on a plane. The first time she performed in front of the audience. It really is what started it all,” the insider said.

The theatre is said to be very “sentimental” for Carrie – which led to an “emotional moment” when she was filming this current season.

The return to the venue marks the first time American Idol has filmed at the theatre since 2021.

American Idol’s season 24 is set to premiere in late Winter of 2026.

Carrie Underwood radiates at the judges’ table on IdolCredit: Getty

The country singer poses in the closet of her Nashville homeCredit: Instagram/carrieunderwood