.American Idol’: Ryan Seacrest Confirmed As Host For Season 9

American Idol, Ryan Seacrest confirmed as host for season 9. The band will be back together on American Idol. ABC has confirmed Emmy winner Ryan Seacrest will return as host for season 9. The music competition series 24th overall. Joining previously announced returning judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. Season 9 will premiere in January on ABC and Hulu. Longtime Idol host Seacrest was missing from ABC's judges announcement in August, prompting some speculation as to whether he would be back for the upcoming season. But as Deadline reported at the time, sources said Seacrest's deal had not closed yet, but he was fully expected to return, and ABC has now confirmed that. American Idol has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC. Last season's finale ranked number one on the night, number one for the week in primetime, and earned the best total viewer audience in two years, according to the network. Season 8 winner Jamal Roberts' first single, Heal, also debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025. Season 9 auditions are currently underway with the return of Vidal Across America, the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Idle Across America auditions allow idle hopefuls to show off their talents before an American Idol producer for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible. Idle Across America auditions will be held as follows, subject to change. Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington, September 9. Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, September 11. East Coast Open Call, September 12. The South Open Call, September 15. Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, September 16. Western Midwest Open Call, September 18. Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., September 19. Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, September 22. Nationwide Open Call, September 24. American Idol is produced by Fremantle and Nineteen Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner with Eli Holzman and Aaron Sedman serving as executive producers for Nineteen Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide. Information on how to sign up for Idle Across America and to register to virtually audition can be found here.