The American Idol Season 24 premiere on January 26, 2026, promised a fresh start with the “American Idol University” theme, filmed at Belmont University in Nashville. Judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie were ready to discover new talent. But before any serious auditions could settle in, the show delivered a chaotic, laugh-out-loud surprise that caught everyone — especially Underwood — completely off guard.
Country star Brad Paisley, a Belmont alumnus, made an unannounced appearance to help Luke Bryan execute an Impractical Jokers-style prank. The target? Fellow judge and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood. The scheme began innocently enough. Underwood spotted a plaque in the audition room reading “Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Ballroom” and joked about it. Little did she know, Paisley was already backstage plotting with Bryan.
Bryan excused himself from the judges’ table, claiming he needed a bathroom break. He disappeared for about 20 minutes — long enough to meet Paisley, get wired up with a hidden earpiece, and receive instructions on what to say. The duo even agreed on a “safe word” — “hot chicken” — to end the prank if things got too wild.
When Bryan returned, a fake contestant named Dylan Holmes (a planted actor) entered the room. Paisley, speaking through the earpiece, fed Bryan ridiculous lines in real time. Bryan immediately interrupted Holmes, blurting out, “I can’t stand Michigan!” (after learning Holmes was from there). Underwood looked baffled and asked, “What is happening?” Bryan doubled down, asking Underwood how much she thought he could bench press — then declaring “165, Carrie, 165” and inquiring about her own fitness routine, referencing her workout ads.
The awkwardness escalated. Bryan leaned over to whisper about benching 175 the next day, stretching dramatically at the table. Underwood fired back, “Did you go take shots during your bathroom break?” Lionel Richie, completely in the dark, watched in confusion as Bryan insulted Illinois and demanded Holmes switch to a Lionel Richie song. The poor “contestant” stood frozen while the judges’ table descended into chaos.
Underwood grew increasingly suspicious. “You can only tour in 48 states now,” she quipped, referencing Bryan’s sudden rudeness. Richie tried to steer things back to normal, but Bryan kept going, following Paisley’s prompts. The prank reached its peak when Bryan finally uttered the safe word: “I need more hot chicken.”
At that moment, Paisley burst into the room with host Ryan Seacrest, revealing the entire setup. Underwood’s face shifted from confusion to amused shock. “What is happening?” she repeated, laughing as the truth sank in. Richie, who had been an innocent bystander, joined in the laughter, relieved the bizarre behavior had an explanation.
Paisley explained he had recruited Bryan to “ruin this whole show” for fun, targeting Underwood because of their long friendship (the two have co-hosted CMAs and shared stages for years). The prank was pure country mischief — awkward, over-the-top, and perfectly timed to catch Underwood off guard. She later admitted on a talk show that Bryan had been “acting really weird,” but she hadn’t suspected a prank: “I really didn’t think that much of it.”
The moment went viral instantly. Clips of Bryan’s deadpan delivery, Underwood’s confused reactions, and Paisley’s grand reveal racked up millions of views. Fans praised the lighthearted energy: “This is the funniest thing Idol has done in years!” “Luke and Brad are chaos incarnate.” The prank fit the season’s playful “university” theme — like a classic dorm-room stunt — and set a fun tone for auditions.
The episode balanced the humor with deeper moments, including emotional auditions like Khloe Grace’s tribute to Aubreigh Wyatt and Bryant Thomas’ proposal after revealing his face. But the Bryan-Paisley prank stole the spotlight, reminding viewers that American Idol still knows how to surprise.
With Season 24 just beginning, the judges’ chemistry — boosted by this playful chaos — promises more memorable moments ahead. Underwood handled the prank with grace and humor, proving why she’s a perfect addition to the panel. As for Bryan? He proved once again he’s the king of country mischief — and with Paisley as his partner-in-crime, the season is off to a hilariously unpredictable start.
