From Cosmopolitan · Mehera Bonner · · 1m 20s
American Idol crew blindsided by Georgia relocation
Most production staff will lose their jobs when the show moves from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
In brief
Most production staff will lose their jobs when the show moves from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Many longtime American Idol crew members weren't told about the move to Georgia until it became public, and most will be replaced by local Atlanta hires. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
American Idol heads to Georgia
The show is leaving Los Angeles and relocating to Atlanta starting with season 25 in January 2027.
Crew finds out from the news
Many longtime production team members learned about the move when it became public, rather than from the show directly.
“A lot of people were blindsided, they are now out of a job.”
Most crew will lose their jobs
The majority of the production team will no longer work on the show and will be replaced by new hires in Atlanta.
Some producers get a second home
A select group of producers will continue working from Los Angeles while maintaining a second residence in Georgia.
Tax breaks drive the move
Georgia offers tax incentives of up to 30 percent for qualifying productions, likely a major factor in the relocation decision.
Judges have Southern roots
Ryan Seacrest and Luke Bryan are from Georgia, while Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood are from the South, giving them ties to the area.
In short
Many longtime American Idol crew members weren't told about the move to Georgia until it became public, and most will be replaced by local Atlanta hires.
