Why Luke Bryan + Lionel Richie Haven’t Invited Carrie Underwood Into Their Group Text Yet [Exclusive]

The 23rd season of American Idol is slated to be one for the record books, especially for country fans. The season kicks off in early 2025 with mainstay judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, plus a newcomer: Carrie Underwood.

Though Underwood has a storied history with Idol — she's one of the most successful winners in the show's history after being crowned in 2005 — she's a newbie at the judges' table. So, she's not quite "chummy" with the standing judges, Bryan and Richie.

Bryan said as much during a recent chat with Taste of Country Nights, with the "All My Friends Say" singer explaining the inner workings of their still-growing friendship.

When asked if the three judges have a group text thread going yet, Bryan said ... sorta. Well, no. "Me and Lionel and Carrie Underwood haven't built our American Idol thread yet," he says.

"I still have me and Katy and Lionel, still have me and Katy and Lionel and Ryan," he adds. "Katy" is, of course, pop singer Katy Perry, whom Underwood will replace when she joins the show.

"We gotta get the, me, Carrie and Lionel now, so we're working on that," Bryan says.

"We'll have to go to dinner in a couple of weeks, we'll see how quick Carrie is to accept giving her phone number to me and Lionel," he jokes. "So we'll see."

It will be fun for fans to see how their camaraderie builds in the first few episodes of the new American Idol season. Bryan admits that he has never really hung out with Underwood, other than to play some songs together at shows over the years.

A premiere date for Season 23 of American Idol has not been publicized, but it will keep its weekly Sunday night air slot.