Carrie Underwood Presides Over “Idol Across America” Auditions in Six States on August 28, 2025

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28, 2025 - Eight-time Grammy® Award winner Carrie Underwood returned to her role on the judging panel of ABC’s hit competition series American Idol today, overseeing in-person “Idol Across America” auditions in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

Underwood joined fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, along with producers, to scout emerging vocal talent during the one-day regional audition event. Contestants lined up early at designated venues across the six states for a chance to perform live before Underwood, whose own career was launched by winning American Idol’s fourth season in 2005.

“Class is back in session,” Underwood joked to hopefuls during the day’s proceedings, referencing the show’s back-to-school-themed promotional video released earlier this week, in which she and her co-judges encouraged aspiring singers to “major in music”.

Next week’s auditions will continue in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina on Sept. 2, followed by nationwide open calls and additional regional dates through late September as the search intensifies for the next breakout star.