In a full-circle second, Carrie Underwood is making her return to “American Idol”—however this time as a choose!
The eight-time Grammy Award winner can be getting into Katy Perry‘s sneakers for the upcoming season, bringing her information and recommendation to the judges’ desk. Underwood will be a part of Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for season 23, proving she’s nonetheless a powerhouse after profitable the title herself in 2005.
Following ABC’s affirmation of her new position, Carrie Underwood appeared on “Good Morning America,” hinting at a possible problem she would possibly face in her new judging seat.
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Carrie Underwood Joins ‘American Idol’ As Latest Choose
After a lot hypothesis about her departure, Katy Perry formally confirmed she’s leaving “American Idol” after seven seasons. She shared that whereas her time on the present has been a heartfelt expertise, it’s time for her to maneuver on.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey with [Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Ryan Seacrest],” Perry instructed “Good Morning America” a number of weeks in the past.
After a number of rumors of who would take over Perry’s spot, ABC confirmed the seat would go to eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer Carrie Underwood. “I went from no one realizing my title to tens of thousands and thousands of individuals watching the present,” the artist mentioned in a video shared by ABC. “I’m happy with every little thing that I used to be in a position to accomplish on the present and I’m so happy with every little thing I’ve achieved since.”
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Carrie Underwood Says Her ‘Idol’ Return ‘Feels Like House’

As a part of “Good Morning America”‘s Summer time Live performance Sequence, the nation music singer took the stage to carry out a few of her best hits, however earlier than grabbing the microphone, she spoke out about her thrilling return to the place all of it began–“American Idol.”
“It looks like residence, there are such a lot of those who even nonetheless work on the present that had been there once I was a contestant,” she instructed Lara Spencer and Sam Champion on Friday. “I really feel like being on either side of the coin, I am going to have the ability to provide perception and assist and type of a special viewpoint.”
When requested what kind of choose she thinks she can be, Underwood admitted, “I do have a giant drawback, [well] hopefully it isn’t a problem–I can not lie, I simply cannot, you possibly can inform. I really feel like I will be very trustworthy, however hopefully, I will be very constructive.”
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Ryan Seacrest Calls Carrie Underwood’s Return To ‘American Idol’ A ‘Full Circle Second’
Simply hours after the massive announcement, Ryan Seacrest, the present host of “American Idol,” took to social media to share a welcome residence message.
Seacrest, who was additionally internet hosting the present when Carrie Underwood clinched her win, mirrored on the brand new chapter for Underwood and the upcoming season of the ABC singing competitors present.
“It’s a full-circle second to go from saying you because the winner of ‘American Idol’ 20 years in the past to now welcoming you to the choose’s desk,” he captioned a throwback picture of the 2 on stage practically 20 years in the past. “Welcome residence, Carrie Underwood!”
Underwood later responded to Seacrest’s submit, commenting, “Thanks, Ryan! Excited to be coming again residence!”
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‘American Idol’ Producer Reveals Why Carrie Underwood Is The Chosen One

Following the information, showrunner government producer Megan Wolflick spoke to Leisure Tonight the place she revealed why they picked Carrie Underwood to take over Katy Perry’s spot.
After calling her their “queen,” Wolflick expressed. “Nicely, it’s 20 years since she auditioned in St. Louis for ‘American Idol,’ and to have the primary ever ‘Idol’ alum on the panel has at all times been one thing that’s been fascinating to me.”
“We now have been looking out, you recognize, and clearly speaking to Carrie for just a little bit right here. It has been just a little over two months because the [season 22] finale, however these talks have been happening for some time and we’ve been actually excited to make all of it occur,” Wolflick added.
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Carrie Underwood Nonetheless Thanks ‘American Idol’ For Launching Her Singing Profession

In 2022, Carrie Underwood mirrored on her journey and acknowledged the position that the singing competitors present performed in shaping her profession.
“I discovered lots, I discovered an insane quantity,” Underwood mentioned in an interview, per Us Weekly, on the time. “And a lot of that’s nonetheless utilized at the moment, it nonetheless holds true to what I do now. It was star boot camp and I used to be attempting to soak in as a lot as I presumably might and, clearly, it launched my profession.”
“American Idol” returns to ABC and Hulu in spring 2025.