Country Icon Carrie Underwood’s Latest Career Announcement May Leave Fans Disappointed

Carrie Underwood dropped some surprising tour news during a recent appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!

The country music superstar, along with her fellow American Idoljudges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, stopped by the late-night talk show on Friday, Jan. 23, to chat about a variety of topics, including this season of the popular reality TV singing competition, Underwood’s vegetable garden, Bryan’s hilarious pranking, and more. 

Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Will Be Promoting Separate Tour in 2026

When it came down to asking about upcoming tour plans, however, Bryan and Richie teased their respective upcoming runs, but Underwood did not. 

Bryan noted, “I’ve just announced the Word On The Street tour this year. That’s coming up,” while Richie added, “I’m announcing next week that I’m about to tour. Tour dates are coming up.” 

However, when it came time for Underwood to answer, she replied, “No! Nah,” before pointing to her cast mates, and joking, “I’ll go see them.”

Underwood didn’t share any details for why she is choosing to take a tour hiatus for 2026. She is likely knee-deep in Idol, with it being her second season as a judge on the program, which launched her career. It’s also early in the year, so her intentions to launch a tour could still change. 

Underwood’s Last List of Shows Took Place in 20

Despite not sharing any tour in the works, the “Church Bells” singer, 42, does have a handful of concert dates in the books — one in June, two in August, and one in September. Those shows can be found here.

The last run of concerts that Underwood carried out was for her Reflections Las Vegas residency, which wrapped in April 2025. Before that, she promoted her 2022 album Denim & Rhinestones with a tour of the same name.In addition to her near-empty schedule, Underwood hasn’t hinted at any new album on the way. But that may change as she’s always working on music.    

In the meantime, folks can see plenty of Underwood on the silver screen as she will take up a seat in the judges’ chair on the new season of American Idol. 

“Hopefully I have some wisdom having been in their shoes, that I can impart and help them along in that way,” Underwood said of her hopes to help the contestants on the show ahead of the American Idol, season 24 premiere that takes place Monday, Jan. 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC. 

Related: Country Icon Carrie Underwood Recalls the Signature No. 1 Hit That Almost Didn’t Get Cut 20 Years After Its Release