The country music star, who was victorious on the singing competition in 2005, is set to take over for Katy Perry on the upcoming season of the show, scheduled to premiere in spring 2025. Carrie Underwood is experiencing a significant moment in her career. She rose to fame after winning the fourth season of American Idol in May 2005.
Now, she’s returning to the reality show as a judge, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. This marks the first time a former contestant has become a member of the judging panel. The announcement of Underwood’s new role came on Good Morning America on Thursday, Aug. 1, with a video shared on social media.
The clip showcased Underwood’s debut on Idol, as she traveled from her hometown in Checotah, Oklahoma to audition for the show. In her own words, ‘I remember being at home in our little house and seeing on TV that there were auditions in St. Louis. My mom said, ‘If you want to go, I’ll drive you.’ I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.’
Since her win, Underwood’s career has skyrocketed, selling 85 million records globally and achieving 28 No. 1 singles. Her accolades include eight Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and seven CMAs. American Idol premiered on Fox in June 2002, running for 15 seasons before ending in April 2016.
ABC brought back the show in March 2018 with Perry, Bryan, and Richie as judges. The upcoming 23rd season will debut in spring 2025 with Ryan Seacrest returning as the host. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, expressed excitement about Underwood’s return, citing her unique perspective as a former Idol contestant.
The sentiment was echoed by fans who have been following the show for over two decades. Welcome back, Carrie!
