In an exciting full-circle moment for “American Idol” fans, popular country singer Carrie Underwood, the winner of Season 4, is set to join the judging panel for the show’s 23rd season, which will premiere in the spring of 2025. Underwood, who has since become one of the most successful alumni of the show, replaces Katy Perry, who announced her departure earlier this year.
“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on ‘Idol’ and launched her successful multi-GRAMMY Award-winning career. As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group.
Underwood’s return marks a significant moment for the show, bringing back one of its most iconic winners. She will join longtime judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who have been with the show since its reboot on ABC in 2018. The trio will be joined by the show’s stalwart host, Ryan Seacrest, who has been with “American Idol” since its inception.
According to Megan Wolflick, showrunner and executive producer of the series, Carrie Underwood becomes the first ‘American Idol’ alum to serve as a judge. Given her global fame and success as the most accomplished ‘Idol’ winner ever, she is an ideal addition to the show.
On Thursday, after ABC announced the news, ET’s Denny Directo talked with Wolflick about why Underwood is the perfect choice and how the “stars aligned” to make the decision even more special. “Twenty years ago, she auditioned in St. Louis for American Idol. Having the first Idol alumni on the panel has always intrigued me,” Wolflick explained. “She is our queen, our icon of American Idol.”
Underwood, who won the show in 2005, has sold over 85 million records and won eight Grammy Awards, making her one of the most successful “American Idol” alumni. She has returned to the show several times over the years as a mentor and performer, and her experience in the music industry will be invaluable to aspiring contestants.
Katy Perry, who has been a judge on the show since its move to ABC, announced her departure on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this year. “I love ‘Idol’ so much, it’s connected me with the heart of America,” she told Jimmy Kimmel in February. “But I feel like I need to go out to feel that pulse of my own beat.”
Perry’s exit has been met with a mix of surprise and understanding from her fellow judges. Lionel Richie, in an interview with Kimmel, admitted that he and Luke Bryan were unaware of Perry’s decision until it was publicly announced. “No, we didn’t know about it, but it makes sense,” Richie said.
The new season of “American Idol” will kick off with auditions starting on August 12, 2024, through the “Idol Across America” virtual nationwide search, allowing contestants to audition remotely from anywhere in the United States. The auditions will continue throughout August and September, with the season premiering in spring 2025.
Fans and industry insiders have welcomed Underwood’s inclusion in the judging panel with excitement. Her transformation from a small-town girl in Oklahoma to an international celebrity epitomizes the dream “American Idol” promotes, making her a perfect fit for the show’s history.