American Idol fans are in for more than powerhouse vocals this season — they’re also getting plenty of laughs. Ahead of the highly anticipated Season 24 premiere, Luke Bryan revealed that he teamed up with country superstar Brad Paisley to pull off a perfectly timed prank on his fellow judges, and the results were nothing short of priceless.
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Bryan sat alongside judges Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie to tease what viewers can expect from the new season. That’s when Bryan confessed that he and Paisley had secretly “conspired” during auditions to mess with the judging panel — without Underwood or Richie having any idea.
The prank unfolded when Bryan wore a hidden in-earpiece, allowing Paisley to feed him lines from a separate room. Just as an unsuspecting contestant was preparing to sing, Bryan suddenly shouted “PASS!” throwing the entire room into chaos. Underwood and Richie were visibly stunned, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
Underwood, clearly caught off guard, even joked, “Did you take shots on your bathroom break?” Meanwhile, Richie looked equally baffled, unsure whether Bryan was joking or had completely lost his filter. Adding to the humor, Underwood later admitted that the worst part wasn’t Bryan’s strange behavior — it was that she didn’t immediately question it.
The clip, which quickly made the rounds online, perfectly captures the playful chemistry among the judges and sets the tone for a season that promises both heart and humor.
Season 24 of American Idol officially premieres Monday, January 26, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC, marking the show’s move from its longtime Sunday slot to Monday nights. Ryan Seacrest returns as host, with Underwood, Richie, and Bryan once again filling the judges’ chairs.
This season also brings major changes beyond the laughs. For the first time ever, Hollywood Week takes place in Nashville, with filming at Belmont University and other Music City landmarks. The round has been condensed into a single, high-stakes phase, setting the stage for tougher eliminations earlier in the competition. New social-media-based voting options will also give fans more ways to engage in real time.
Between bold format changes, top-tier talent, and unexpected pranks from country music royalty, Season 24 of American Idol is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining yet.
