As ABC gears up for season 24 of “American Idol,” judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie have filmed some playful social media promos tying into the 2026 theme of “Idol University.” Many of the auditions and a new version of Hollywood Week filmed at Belmont University in Nashville.
In social media posts starting on January 10, all three judges emptied their “backpacks” to reveal the must-haves they need to have with them each day. The items they pulled out were actually pretty fascinating, giving fans a fun peek inside their lives.
Carrie Underwood Says She ALWAYS Packs Snacks
Dubbed by the “Idol” crew as the “snack queen,” Underwood did have many snacks tucked inside her backpack including bars, celery sticks, carrots, and cherry tomatoes — likely all grown on her Nashville farm. She started with a small container filled with mints, though, explaining, “Don’t want to scare away Luke and Lionel!”
The season 3 “Idol” winner-turned-judge then pulled out a bag of crochet tools, noting that “that’s what I do when I’m in the hair and makeup chair.”
Underwood also said she always has a notebook and pen handy to “write down my thoughts on different contestants” and “maybe some song ideas for myself — I don’t know, inspiration is everywhere.”
Luke Bryan Shares His New Favorite Hobby When He Empties His ‘American Idol’ Backpack
When Bryan dumped out his backpack, he quipped, “Pretty much my life right there.” His items were decidedly different than Underwood’s.
Among his belongings, he had a bag of golf balls, revealing that golfing is his “new favorite thing.” But it hasn’t replaced his other favorite hobby, fishing, as evidenced by the bass fishing lures and plastic worms in his backpack. In addition, he had his guitar strap, tuner, and foot pedal for jam sessions.
Bryan also pulled out a Ziploc bag full of popcorn, which he declared is his “favorite snack,” and — unsurprisingly — a can of beer.
‘American Idol’ Judge Lionel Richie Proves He’s Mr. Cool
Richie’s backpack contents were a bit less revealing. He pulled out a pair of shades for “the coolness,” and then a bunch of music-making tools including a portable keyboard, an “old-school metronome” for keeping rhythm, and a water bottle, declaring, “You’ve got to be hydrated!”
And, of course, Richie had a copy of his own memoir, “Truly,” in his backpack. All three judges plus host Ryan Seacrest will be reporting for a new season of “American Idol” on January 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
