It’s time for a new season of “American Idol” to start on ABC tonight. The “American Idol” 2026 auditions will start tonight, as the journey to be named the winner of “American Idol” season 24 begins here. Ryan Seacrest is back as host, and the judges — Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan — are all back for another season. Who gets a ticket to Hollywood tonight on “American Idol” 2026? Find out with us during our “American Idol” live recap below.
Auditions Begin
We are kicking off season 24 of “American Idol” tonight on ABC. We have a new batch of singers for these “American Idol” judges. All of them are trying to get a ticket to Hollywood and remain in this competition.
ABC is shifting the show to a new night for season 24, as it’ll air on Monday nights. The same fun will be had, though, so you aren’t going to want to miss any of these auditions tonight on “American Idol” 2026. Follow along with our Live Recap below!
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE RECAP WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
January 26 Live Recap – Premiere
KEEP REFRESHING THE PAGE FOR THE LATEST “AMERICAN IDOL” LIVE RECAP UPDATES.
Season 24 Begins
The season starts with a sign, as this season is dedicated to Robin Kaye. Time to meet the new class! We are in Nashville at Belmont University, and it’s day 1 of auditions.
Lucas Leon
He comes in, and Luke Bryan thinks he looks like his son, Bo Bryan! Lucas is 17 years old and comes out singing an original song. He definitely has a strong country voice. He is playing the guitar, and it’s a strong start to the season, as he gets a standing ovation from the judges.
Judges’ Feedback – Carrie said he is baby face, but there is this awesome maturity, and he can go far this season. Lionel said pure, honest, and very talented. Luke said it’s really great stuff he is doing at the age of 17. He gets three yes votes, so he is heading to Hollywood Week!
Keyla Richardson on ‘American Idol’
We head to Pensacola, Florida. She said she wanted to play basketball. She is 29 years old and been a music teacher for six years. Keyla said she sees herself in the kids she teaches. She grew up in the church, singing, but felt she wasn’t good enough. Her son means the world to her; he’s her best friend.
For her audition, she sings “Glitter in the Air” by Pink. She does have a strong voice and hits some good notes along the way. I feel she needs some work in parts, but she definitely makes you feel the emotions of the song.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said sometimes, just let it breathe a little bit. Lionel said he can imagine her blowing the roof off some songs. Luke wants her to start again, but gives her some tips along the way, and he loves it. Then Keyla’s son comes in, after singing with her outside. He is beyond adorable. Luke said that when she sang with confidence, she had a voice that made people stop in their tracks.
Results: It’s three yes votes, as she is also headed to Hollywood Week on “American Idol” season 24. Drew said he can sing, too, so the judges have him sing. Too darn cute!
Jayson Arendt
He is here with the Texas Tailgaters, which is part of the Banana Ball League. He plays baseball, but got into it as a singer. His team is up there having fun with him. He sings “Fire Away” by Chris Stapleton. With the team cheering him on, Jayson does a good job. He hits some good notes along the way.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel said he has a nice voice and a distinguishable voice. Carrie said if he does go forward, she wants to hear more and emote more. Luke said he wanted him to calm it down more.
Results: It’s three yes votes for Jayson, so he is headed to Hollywood Week!
Daniel Stallworth
Daniel Stallworth sings “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. He is a school teacher and teaches music. He said he is doing this for his students. Daniel says don’t stop believing, so it seems fitting he sings this song, right? He does have a very strong voice.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Luke said his students are lucky to have him. It’s a quick three yes votes, as he is headed to Hollywood Week.
Tate Emmons
He is just 15 years old from Lake, Mississippi. Tate said he could sing before he could talk. Breanna Nix, season 23 finalist, helped Tate get an audition this season! He sings “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake. Tate is a baby, but then he sings, and this mature voice comes out. He definitely has a strong voice and can only get better at such a young age.
Judges’ Feedback: Luke said guitar he is perfect, but vocally he feels younger than 15. Lionel said he understands why Breana brought him. Carrie said their parent hearts are worried about whether they should feed him to the entertainment industry.
Results: Carrie said this environment is going to help him, so she is a yes. Lionel is going the opposite. He thinks he needs a couple of years of experience. Luke said it’s too soon, so he is also a no. Tate is so kind about the no votes, and he’ll get there!
‘American Idol’ Judges Getting Tougher
Lionel said that after Jamal Roberts got a Grammy nomination, they are raising the bar. They are looking for the best, so they are being tough. The judges talk about how this season is going to be great.
Jesse Findling
Jesse said he is 19 years old and a college student. He and his siblings grew up singing. He has a stutter, but that is where his love of music came from. Jesse hid his stutter and was embarrassed, but when he sings, it goes away.
For his audition, he sings “In the Stars” by Benson Boone. For me, this was the first goosebumps I got this season. You could feel the emotion while he is singing. His voice is so strong, and I am an instant fan! It’s a standing ovation from the judges.
Judges’ Feedback: Luke said he is a real singer. Carrie said his voice is beautiful. He has a beautiful vibrato and tone. Lionel said the only thing wrong with him is how to navigate this career. No doubt here, but it’s three yes votes, and he is headed to Hollywood Week!
Prank Time on ‘American Idol’
Brad Paisley is an alumnus of Belmont University. He is in the house, as Luke Bryan meets him outside. Luke puts an earpiece in, as Brad will tell him stuff to say to get to Carrie. They send in a fake auditioner.
This is too funny, as Brad is having him say some funny things. He talks about lifting weights. It gets wacky, but Carrie said she didn’t think anything was wrong!
Quick Yeses: It’s all about the hot chicken now, as they give us some quick auditions and some quick yeses. These go to Ricky Boyce, Brianna Yancey, and Jacquie Lee.
Genevieve Heyward
It’s all about pickles for Genevieve. She talks about pickles and brings her entourage, all with pickle shirts on. For her audition, she sings “Magic Man” by Heart. To me, this wasn’t the greatest. She has a good voice, but something was off. However, she gets a standing ovation from Carrie.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said that’s a tall order, and takes some pickles to take that one. She wants to hear more. Luke said she has to push more. Lionel said she has the tools, don’t think, and let her voice do its thing.
Results: It’s three yes votes, and she is going to Hollywood Week.
Weird Voices
A quick no for Brock Ryne, as he has a very high-pitched voice. They said it’s good, but he’s in a lane. Jewels is growling, which scares Lionel. Josiah Dyer definitely sounds like Elvis. They want him to come back and show them who he is.
Brooks
Speaking of weird voices, we have Brooks. He works in the dementia care field. He has a weird tone to his voice while talking. Brooks said he has performed his guitar at gigs, but never sang at them. However, he sings for his dementia care patients, which he started doing when singing for his grandma. He said he has no experience performing in front of people.
For his audition, he sings “Your Place At My Place” by Joshua Slone. He had that high-pitched voice, but he moves it over to his singing voice, and it totally works. You can tell he has nerves, but he definitely has a good voice. The judges give him another chance to sing more, and he blows them away again. This kid is good!
Judges’ Feedback: Luke said he just wants to hear more. No matter what he sings, it’s going to be beautifully unique. Carrie said he is a unicorn and it’s really beautiful. Lionel said it’s so good. He has not heard another voice like this ever. Luke said thank you for being in our lives.
Results: It’s an easy one here, as Brooks is headed to Hollywood Week.
Both Sides of Things
We see two separate auditions, as one is 16 years old and the other is 29 years old. One is new to singing, the other has been doing this her whole life. Lainey Grace and Kyndal Innskeep are the auditioners, but here’s the twist!
Lainey goes first, but they bring in Kyndal backstage. Yeah, Lainey sings one of Kyndal’s songs for her audition. She is blown away and crying backstage, which is so cool to see. Lainey does have a very good voice.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel said she has vocal chops. Carrie said there were some timid things. Luke said she has a tone in her voice. The judges are split, as they aren’t sure if she’s ready. They bring out Kyndal, who sings with Lainey. She stepped away from the piano, and you can see her confidence spike. Lionel said it’s inspiring, but come back and see them, so it’s a no from him.
Now Kyndal gets to sing her own song by herself. She has that indie-type voice, and it works on her own song. She has a strong voice and definitely has a strong stage presence.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said she’s got some stuff. She likes the song. Lionel said he commends her for taking the time to explore who she is. Luke said he was impressed when she stepped on the gas and showed off her range. It’s three yes votes for Kyndal!
Bryant Thomas
His girlfriend posts videos of him singing in the shower on TikTok. So, no one knows what he actually looks like! He has 110K fans on social media.
Because of that, the “American Idol” 2026 judges won’t look at him for this audition. He sings “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins. He has a slow start, but when he gets into it, he gets that rasp going in his voice. I think he sounds great, but then comes out for the judges to see as the song gets toward the end. A fitting song choice here.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said his voice is outrageous. You can feel so much emotion and life in his voice. Lionel said he thinks we have a hit record here. He’s got star-powered vocals. The rasp he has is on fire. Luke said really soulful voice. No doubt here, but he gets three yes votes and is moving on to Hollywood Week. His friends and family come in to celebrate, but then he shocks everyone when he gets down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend, who says yes!
Khloe Grace
To start, we see Aubreigh Paige Wyatt’s mother come out to introduce Khloe. Aubreigh was a 13-year-old girl who took her life because of bullying. Khloe wrote a song for Aubreigh, which her mother said just fit so well. She has not met Khloe, but they will meet for the first time today. Khloe didn’t know Aubreigh, but the song just came to her, and she had to get it out.
She sings the song, “Forever 13,” for her audition. The lyrics are amazing. It’s a very emotional song, especially with mom standing right there. It’s a very powerful moment.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel said he is so moved, and just a moving moment. Carrie said she showed so much maturity. How she had her heart broken for someone she didn’t even know, and say something positive is going to come out of it. Luke said this shows a potential in her as a singer and songwriter, and someone who can do good in this world. It’s three definite yeses from the judges, as she is headed to Hollywood Week.
The “American Idol” season 24 premiere is complete. What did you think of tonight’s auditions?
