Students at Nashville’s Belmont University got an unexpected star-studded surprise on Monday afternoon when American Idol judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie made a surprise appearance on campus.
Videos circulating on TikTok show the trio strolling through the university grounds as students lined the walkways, cheering, filming, and welcoming the judges with excitement. Members of the school band and pep squad joined in, creating a festive atmosphere as Underwood, Bryan, and Richie smiled, waved, and stopped for high-fives. Luke Bryan even paused to greet Belmont’s beloved mascot, Bruiser the Bruin.
“POV: it’s a Monday at Belmont University,” one student wrote, capturing the spontaneous nature of celebrity sightings in Nashville. Another joked, “No big deal…just Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood on campus!” while a third added, “This was my casual Monday morning on the way to class.”
The judges were accompanied by a camera crew, strongly suggesting the visit was part of filming for the upcoming season of American Idol. Their appearance aligns with the show’s recent academic-themed promotions teasing the new season.
Just last week, American Idol confirmed its return in January 2026. An Instagram teaser featured a flyer posted on a bulletin board advertising “Idol University,” with classes set to begin on January 26. In the clip, each judge tore off tabs from the flyer revealing the premiere date, with the caption reading, “That’s a tear we couldn’t wait to make 👀…”
The Nashville visit also connects to a major format change for the 2026 season. According to Deadline, the judges—along with longtime host Ryan Seacrest—will bring golden ticket recipients to Nashville for the first time, replacing the traditional California kickoff. The shift introduces “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover,” an exciting new chapter for the competition.
The upcoming season marks Carrie Underwood’s second year as an American Idol judge, joining veterans Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie in the search for America’s next breakout star.
American Idol premieres Monday, January 26, on ABC and will also stream on Hulu. The new installment will be the show’s ninth season on ABC and Hulu, and its 24th season overall.