Meet the Kids of the “American Idol” Judges (Including Some Future Singers!)
- - Meet the Kids of the “American Idol” Judges (Including Some Future Singers!)
Adam EnglandJanuary 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
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Carrie Underwood and her son Isaiah ; Simon Cowell and his son Eric attend the "America's Got Talent" Season 19 Quarterfinals on September 03, 2024 in Pasadena, California.
Mike Fisher/Instagram ; Amanda Edwards/Getty
Since it first debuted in 2002, American Idol has been helmed by some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities on the judging panel.
From the original trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson to the current lineup of Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood — with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Steven Tyler in between — some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry have sat in front of budding pop stars over the last two decades.
While they’re away from music duties, however, many of the judges are busy at home with their children. Cowell shares a son, Eric Philip Cowell, with his wife, Lauren Silverman, whom they welcomed in 2014; meanwhile, Underwood is raising two sons with her husband, former NHL player Mike Fisher.
Here's everything to know about the kids of the American Idol judges.
01 of 13
Carrie Underwood’s 2 Sons
Carrie Underwood with her husband Mike Fisher and their 2 sons.
Carrie Underwood/Instagram
Underwood, who began her American Idol journey by winning season 4 in 2005, returned to the show in 2025 — this time as a judge.
The singer and Fisher welcomed their older son, Isaiah Michael Fisher, on Feb. 27, 2015. Four years later, on Jan. 21, 2019, their younger son, Jacob Bryan Fisher, was born.
In April 2017, Underwood told PEOPLE Now about the importance of finding opportunities for family time.
“I remember when we first found out we were gonna have [Isaiah], it [was] like, 'How are we gonna do this? Our lives are so crazy as it is,' ” she said. "But you just make room, and you learn how important that family time is."
Her sons have been there to see her perform, too. In October 2022, she posted an Instagram video that showed both kids attending the first performance of her Denim & Rhinestones Tour. Isaiah waved and blew kisses to Underwood while Jacob slept in Fisher's arms.
"My sweet boys came to see their mommy's first show! Jakey caught a few songs, at least, before he drifted off to dream land..." she wrote in the caption.
02 of 13
Lionel Richie’s 3 Children
Nicole Richie, Lionel Richie, Sofia Richie and Miles Richie attend Lionel Richie and Friends in Concert on April 2, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Christopher Polk/ACMA2012/Getty
Lionel, who joined American Idol as a judge for the revival in 2017, has three children. He married Brenda Harvey in 1975, and in 1983, they adopted Nicole Camille Richie (née Escovedo) when she was 9 years old. Her parents were friends of Lionel's who could not support Nicole financially.
After divorcing Harvey, Lionel married his second wife, Diane Alexander, in 1995. They welcomed their son, Miles Brockman Richie, on May 27, 1994, and their daughter, Sofia Alexandra Richie Grainge, on Aug. 24, 1998. They divorced in 2004.
Nicole came to greater prominence in her early 20s after appearing in the reality show The Simple Life alongside her close friend Paris Hilton. She has also been a judge on the competition shows Fashion Star and Making the Cut, starred in the series Candidly Nicole and founded the lifestyle brand House of Harlow in 2008.
She has two children with her husband, Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden. They welcomed a daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, in 2008, and a son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, in 2009.
Miles studied accounting at the University of California, Los Angeles before dropping out to start modeling. He made his runway debut during New York Fashion Week in 2018.
Sofia is also a model and entrepreneur, making her red carpet debut when she was just 10 years old at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards in 2008. Sofia and her husband, music executive Elliot Grainge, welcomed a daughter, Eloise Samantha Grainge, in May 2024. She announced in October 2025 that they were expecting another baby, due in 2026.
03 of 13
Luke Bryan’s Children
Luke Bryan with wife Caroline and kids Thomas (Bo) and Tatum.
Caroline Bryan/Instagram
Bryan, who has been a judge from season 16 onwards, married Caroline Bryan in 2006. The couple have since welcomed two sons.
Their older son, Thomas “Bo” Boyer Bryan, was born on March 18, 2008. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Tatum “Tate” Christopher Bryan, was born on Aug. 11, 2010.
In September 2018, Bryan shared what he was most proud of when it came to his sons. “How [they've carved a] path toward being gentlemen and gentlemanly boys," he said.
Bryan and his wife also helped raise their nephew, Tilden Cheshire, and their nieces, Jordan and Kris Cheshire, following the deaths of their parents. Bryan’s sister, Kelly Bryan Cheshire, died in 2007, and his brother-in-law, Ben Cheshire, died of a heart attack seven years later. Tilden went to live with Bryan and his family; while Jordan and Kris don't live with the Bryans, the family sees them regularly.
"We get to live with Kelly through her children, and we see so many things in her children that remind us of her," Bryan told PEOPLE in July 2021. "As a family, we really try to do good to just remember the beauty of the people we lost and not dwell on the fact that they're not in our lives daily.”
04 of 13
Katy Perry’s Daughter
Katy Perry and her daughter Daisy.
Katy Perry/Instagram
Perry, who was a judge on the show from seasons 16 to 22, shares her daughter with her ex-fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom. In March 2020, she announced in the music video for her single “Never Worn White” that she was expecting her first child with Bloom.
Shortly after, she went on Instagram Live to discuss the news, joking, “I’m late, but you already knew that,” and described her pregnancy as “probably the longest secret” she “ever had to keep.”
The couple welcomed Daisy Dove Bloom on Aug. 26, 2020.
She told Jimmy Kimmel where the inspiration for the name came from in a talk show appearance the following year, saying, "Daisy, to me, means purity, and Dove means peace and Bloom feels like it means joy. So it's very, 'Pure, peace and joy.' ”
Discussing motherhood, she told PEOPLE in September 2021, “I never really truly knew about unconditional love. Obviously my mother has that for me, but I didn't really experience it in the first-person until I had my child, and that was just a whole 'nother level."
05 of 13
Harry Connick Jr.’s 3 Daughters
Charlotte Connick, Sarah Kate Connick, Georgia Tatum Connick and Harry Connick Jr. attend the 2024 AACTA Awards on February 10, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Chris Hyde/Getty
Harry Connick Jr., who was a judge from seasons 13 to 15, married Jill Goodacre in 1994. Together, they have three daughters: Georgia Tatum Connick, born on April 17, 1996; Sarah Kate Connick, born on Sept. 12, 1997; and Charlotte Connick, born on June 26, 2002.
Connick Jr. has worked with his daughters professionally. In 2011, he wrote Sarah’s debut song “A Lot Like Me," which she released under the name Kate Connick. That same year, Charlotte appeared alongside her dad in the film Dolphin Tale. Meanwhile, Georgia worked with him on his 2021 album Alone With My Faith.
In November 2019, Connick Jr. reflected on parenthood to PEOPLE Now. "I loved them when they were infants and toddlers and preschoolers all the way up through now," he said. "It just keeps getting better."
In January 2025, the musician shared a rare photo of himself and Goodcare with all three daughters at the Australian Open.
06 of 13
Keith Urban’s 2 Daughters
Keith Urban, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Faith Margaret Kidman Urban attend the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala on April 27, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Keith Urban, who was on the judging panel from season 12 until season 15, shares two daughters with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman.
Sunday Rose Kidman Urban was born on July 7, 2008, with Kidman's father first suggesting the name Sunday in honor of the Australian patron of the arts, Sunday Reed. The couple then welcomed Faith Margaret Kidman Urban on Dec. 28, 2010 via gestational surrogate. A friend told PEOPLE after her birth that her name came from the fact that Urban and Kidman "never gave up faith they'd have another child together.”
Sunday and Faith are both models. Sunday made her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in 2024, later starring in a 2026 Dior campaign. Meanwhile, Faith appeared alongside her mom in a beauty ad in June 2025.
Both sisters made their red carpet debut in April 2024 at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, where Kidman was the honoree. She told PEOPLE at the event that her daughters are “very, very supportive and incredibly loving.”
07 of 13
Nicki Minaj’s Son
Nicki Minaj performs during the 2024 Dreamville Music Festival on April 07, 2024.
Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage
Nicki Minaj spent a single season on the judging panel — season 12 in 2013. She shares her son — whose name she hasn't publicly revealed — with husband Kenneth Petty.
"I think motherhood has made me see more good in people, more good in the universe," she said during a February 2022 appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
"When I look at my son, I'm reminded that I am so blessed," she added. "I realized, for so many women, this is their dream. Their dream is to have a child and not everybody gets that blessing. So when you have a little baby, you are reminded every day like, 'Oh my God. Thank you God for this little gift.' "
08 of 13
Mariah Carey’s 2 Children
Mariah Carey Celebrates Christmas with her twins.
Mariah Carey/Instagram
Carey, who was a judge on the same season as Minaj, shares twins Moroccan Scott Cannon and Monroe Cannon with ex-husband Nick Cannon. The two were born on April 30, 2011.
In 2014, Carey and Cannon separated, and their divorce was finalized two years later. However, they have remained there for each other and their children.
Carey told PEOPLE in August 2019, “[The twins] are a lot, but they give me so much love in return. I wouldn't be the same person without them. I think Nick and I have done pretty well in co-parenting, staying friends with each other so that we can talk."
While growing up, Monroe has joined her mom onstage to sing a few times. Cannon told PEOPLE in January 2024 that she enjoys acting and performing and has hopes to attend Yale’s drama school.
Moroccan, meanwhile, is interested in gaming and often livestreams on Twitch. In April 2025, Carey crashed one of his streams, prompting him to ask her to “please get out” of his room.
09 of 13
Steven Tyler’s 4 Children
Chelsea Tyler, Mia Tyler, Steven Tyler, Liv Tyler and Taj Tallarico attend the Steven Tyler...Out On A Limb Benefit Concert on May 02, 2016 in New York. Ben Gabbe/Getty
Tyler, who was a judge on seasons 10 and 11 of American Idol, has four children. His oldest daughter, actress Liv Rundgren Tyler, was born on July 1, 1977, to his ex-girlfriend, model Bebe Buell.
He was married to actress and model Cyrinda Foxe from 1978 to 1987, and they had another daughter, model Mia Abagale Tyler, who was born on Dec. 22, 1978.
A year after their divorce, Tyler married clothing designer Teresa Barrick, and they had a daughter, Chelsea Anna Tyler, on March 6, 1989. Their son, Taj Monroe Tallarico, was born on Jan. 31, 1991.
Tyler is also a grandfather to five grandchildren, whom he enjoys seeing all together.
"We try to get together for Christmas and it's fun, it's beautiful," he told PEOPLE in January 2018. "What we got is beautiful."
10 of 13
Jennifer Lopez’s 2 Children
Jennifer Lopez with her 2 kids.
Jennifer Lopez/Instagram
Lopez was a judge on American Idol for four seasons. She balanced her judging duties with raising her twins, whom she shares with her ex-husband, singer Marc Anthony.
She married Anthony in 2004, and they welcomed Maximilian "Max" David Muniz and Emme Maribel Muniz four years later, on Feb. 22, 2008. Following her divorce from Anthony in 2014, Lopez retained primary physical custody of the children.
As they became teenagers, she told PEOPLE in February 2022, “They're venturing out, they're being their own people and it's us just trying to keep up. That's the journey of it [and] another path you have to go own. It's a joy for me."
Emme is interested in singing, joining Lopez onstage at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2020. Max, meanwhile, enjoys gaming.
11 of 13
Kara DioGuardi’s Son
Kara DioGuardi and her husband Mike McCuddy with their son in November 2022.
Kara DioGuardi/Instagram
Kara DioGuardi, who was a judge on seasons 8 and 9 of American Idol, shares a son with her husband, Mike McCuddy. She's also a mom to her stepdaughter, Elora McCuddy, from McCuddy’s previous relationship.
The couple began dating in 2007 and got engaged a year later, tying the knot in 2009. They welcomed Greyson James Carroll McCuddy via surrogate on Jan. 31, 2013. She told PEOPLE at the time that her surrogate had “given us an incredible gift.”
12 of 13
Randy Jackson’s 3 Children
Randy Jackson with his 3 kids in June 2023.
Randy Jackson/Instagram
One of American Idol’s three original judges, Jackson departed the panel after 12 seasons. In his personal life, he’s a father of two daughters and a son.
He was married to Elizabeth Jackson until 1990, and they welcomed one daughter, Taylor.
In 1995, Jackson married Erika Riker. They had a daughter, Zoe Jackson, and a son, Jordan Jackson, before they separated in 2014.
Jackson's children keep a low profile. However, Jordan is a music producer and is involved in the Black Indigo Orchestra, per his Instagram.
13 of 13
Simon Cowell’s Son
Simon Cowell, Eric Cowell and Lauren Silverman at the "America's Got Talent" Season 19 Quarterfinals on September 03, 2024 in Pasadena, California.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Cowell, who was a judge on the first nine seasons of the show, began dating Silverman in 2013, and the couple announced that they were expecting a baby later that year. On Feb. 14, 2014, Silverman gave birth to their son, Eric, and the couple confirmed their engagement in 2022.
Cowell has credited his son with helping him find happiness again. "After I lost my parents, I genuinely felt ... I would never feel that kind of love for anyone ever again. I thought that was it ... until I saw the scan of [Eric] for the first time,” he said during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in May 2021. "From that moment I saw the scan, I was like 'That is it, I'm besotted.' Now, I cannot imagine my life without him."
While his parents have largely kept him away from the limelight, Eric appeared alongside his dad in the Netflix series Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which premiered in December 2025.
"The best thing that ever, ever happened in my life was having my son," Cowell said during the show. "It's been so much fun, because I've been able to relive my childhood through Eric."
Cowell also has a stepson, Adam Silverman, from his fiancée’s previous marriage to Andrew Silverman. He occasionally appears in family photos with them, including one that Cowell shared on Instagram in January 2024 with the caption, "A couple more of us and Pebbles,” referencing one of the family’s dogs.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
