The season 23 premiere of "American Idol" aired on March 9, 2025, introducing viewers to new talents and fresh dynamics among the judges. This year marks the first season without former judge Katy Perry, who left after seven impactful seasons to focus on her music. The judging panel now features Grammy-winning Carrie Underwood, who is stepping onto the other side of the audition experience after winning the competition herself 20 years ago.
Joining Underwood are seasoned judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who continue to bring their expertise and charisma to the show. The premiere episode was organized as a two-hour event filled with auditions from contestants across Nashville, Los Angeles, and New York City.
A standout performance during the premiere came from Baylee Littrell, the 21-year-old son of Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell. Auditioning with his original song "Waiting on Myself to Die," Baylee captivated the judges, earning three enthusiastic yeses from Underwood, Richie, and Bryan. "I get my voice from dad. And, hopefully, I can do him justice today," Baylee commented during his audition video. The talented singer recalled memorable moments from his childhood, watching his father perform at sold-out arenas. "I guess you could say music runs in our family. Dance moves are the one thing genetically did not pass down. Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because his career is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare," he shared.
The warm moment between father and son intensified when Brian Littrell joined Baylee on stage for part of his song. Carrie Underwood praised Baylee's performance, stating, "You’re really good. You went there emotionally. I think you could go very, very far in this competition." Luke Bryan added, "This was not part of the audition. But for your superstar singer dad to come in here, I feel for anybody else, it would make you look bad. But it didn’t." After receiving his Golden Ticket, Baylee reflected on the experience, stating, "Being able to sing my original and get through and the judges loved it, meant the world."
Underwood's debut as a judge also drew attention, as she called her previous experience on "American Idol" the "most immense stress I’ve ever been through." She emphasized her desire to provide honest yet constructive criticism to contestants, reflecting on how being part of someone's dream is key to her role as judge.
Katy Perry’s departure was acknowledged during the premiere. Perry mentioned on Jimmy Kimmel Live! her desire to focus on her music and travel the world: "I love the show so much, but I want to go and see the world and maybe bring new music." Underwood’s replacement marked both nostalgia and excitement, with her insights and experiences framing the competition moving forward.
The auditions did not exclusively spotlight Baylee Littrell. Other talented contestants also shone, including Kolbi Jordan, 26, who impressed the judges with her rendition of "Epiphany" by Chrisette Michele. Her performance earned her the coveted first Platinum Ticket of the season, allowing her to bypass the first round of Hollywood Week. Richie got legendary singer Patti LaBelle on the phone to connect Kolbi with her idol, delighting both the contestant and LaBelle.
Breanna Nix, another outstanding participant, brought her emotional story to the stage. The 25-year-old stay-at-home mom performed Underwood's own song "Jesus Take the Wheel" with her child watching. Carrie was deeply moved, shedding tears during Breanna’s heartfelt performance. "It was an honor to listen to you sing," Underwood said, admitting she was impressed with the emotion conveyed through the song.
Among the aspiring singers were other notable performers, such as Isaiah Misailegalu, 17, from Las Vegas, who stunned the judges with his rendition of "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway. His voice led Underwood to remark, "You are not 17 years old... it sounded like you’ve been doing it forever." Not to be overlooked, Crews Wright charmed the judges with his performance of "Fireman" by George Strait, where he flirted with Underwood and earned unanimous yeses from the panel.
Each audition brought unique stories and styles, showcasing both strength and vulnerability. For example, Slater Nalley, 17, performed his original song "Traces of You" about the late son of his music teacher, which brought the judges to tears and secured him three yeses. All contestants ventured to win over the judges, but not all met the expectations for the next round of auditions.
With each audition, the competition highlights different aspects of the contestants' personalities and backgrounds, creating engaging narratives for the audience. The season promises to be just as enticing with challenges and opportunities for aspiring idols.
American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available for streaming the next day on Hulu for subscribers. With the arrival of new talent and the return of Carrie Underwood, season 23 looks to embrace the spirit of competition and discovery, hoping to unearth music's next stars.