Carrie Underwood, who gained fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005, is joining the show as a judge for its 23rd season. This announcement, made on Good Morning America, marks a significant milestone as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of her original win.
Underwood will be stepping into the role previously held by Katy Perry, who left the show at the end of the last season. Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will return as judges, and Ryan Seacrest will continue as host.
Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich highlighted the full-circle nature of Underwood’s return, emphasizing her unique perspective as a former contestant who achieved remarkable success.
Underwood’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including eight Grammy Awards and a total of 25 awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Her impressive record includes eight chart-topping albums, with four also reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Executive producer and showrunner Megan Wolflick praised Underwood as the first American Idol alum to join the judging panel. She noted that Underwood’s global superstar status and her personal journey embody the essence of the Idol experience.
This addition is expected to offer valuable insights and encouragement to future contestants, as Underwood has firsthand experience of the challenges and triumphs that come with being an Idol winner.
Katy Perry announced in February that she would be stepping down from her role as a judge to focus on her music career. Perry, along with Richie and Bryan, had been part of the judging panel since American Idol’s revival on ABC in 2018. This panel composition followed the show’s end on Fox after a 15-season run.
The 23rd season of American Idol is set to premiere in early 2025. In preparation for the new season, live, virtual auditions are scheduled to start on August 12. Fans can look forward to seeing Underwood in her new role and witnessing the continued evolution of the beloved music competition.
