Luke Bryan once hesitated to join AMERICAN IDOL, but as he prepares for his 10th season at the judges’ table, he’s grateful for the young singers — and the families watching at home — who made it worth saying yes.
“…for me to be doing this with Ryan [Seacrest], Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie has been amazing,” the country music singer shared of his gratitude with radio host John Shomby during his BACKSTAGE COUNTRY co-hosting appearance.
Bryan reflected on a television career he never expected to last this long. His initial reluctance has given way to appreciation for the contestants who have stepped into the audition room and the opportunity to become part of viewers’ lives.
The reflection offers something more personal than another casting announcement. Bryan isn’t simply confirming that he’ll return; he’s looking back at what the job has meant after years of listening, encouraging and helping evaluate aspiring performers.
He also spoke warmly about working alongside host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges, country singer Carrie Underwood and singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. That familiar company matters as the competition heads toward Season 25, a milestone that reaches well beyond Bryan’s own tenure.
In a separate interview, Bryan described the anniversary in terms families will recognize: shared memories. He said he expects nostalgic moments, with a little good-natured amusement at seeing how he has aged along the way.
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“It’s a family show, lot of wonderful memories during the past 10 years,” he emphasized.
For viewers catching up, Deadline reported in September that Bryan, Underwood and Richie will return together, with Seacrest hosting. Season 25 will also be the competition’s 10th season on ABC.
The conversation also reached beyond television to a practical question: How long does he want to keep performing? Bryan told Shomby that his father still works full time at 82 and said he wants to keep playing music while he feels healthy and can deliver a strong show.
He expressed gratitude for the strength of his voice this year and described bringing people enjoyment as a reason to continue. But continuing doesn’t mean accepting every opportunity that comes along.
“I mean, there’s elements of my career that I can curb and maybe not say yes to everything,” he said of potential boundaries he could set if and when he wanted.
That makes his anniversary reflection less about collecting another year of television credits and more about doing the work well. Whether he’s facing a concert crowd or listening to someone hoping for a first big break, Bryan says he still wants to give people his best.
For longtime AMERICAN IDOL viewers, the next milestone comes with a judge who sounds thankful rather than ready to coast. Ten seasons weren’t part of his original picture — but the people he has met along the way have made them matter.
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