Carrie Underwood Joins 'American Idol' As New Judge
In a full circle moment, Carrie Underwood will be a judge 20 years after she won the fourth season of 'American Idol' in 2005.
Carrie Underwood (Source: Supplied)
Huge news for Carrie Underwood fans today, as the singer-songwriter is returning to where her career began.
In 2025, the Before He Cheats singer will return to American Idol, not as a contestant again but as a judge, replacing the departing Katy Perry. When Underwood returns, it will be 20 years since she won the fourth season of the show in 2005.
The news was broken on Good Morning America on 1 August, with a video package highlighting her different music eras. With Underwood joining the American Idol judging panel, the reality singing competition will host two country icons as its judges. Underwood and Luke Bryan will accompany Lionel Richie behind the desk. Longtime host Ryan Seacrest will also return to Idol for another year.
American Idol will begin its massive, month-long audition process this month, wrapping in mid-September.
The American Idol Instagram account captioned its post about Underwood’s homecoming: “CARRIE🌟 From #AmericanIdol hopeful, to global icon…to IDOL judge! Home-grown superstar @carrieunderwood will join us for Season 8!”
The show’s original run lasted for 15 seasons, beginning in 2002 and running until 2016. A revival series began in 2018, and 2025 will mark its eighth season.
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Ryan Seacrest congratulated Underwood on returning to American Idol as a judge in an Instagram post, writing alongside a photo of himself with her on the night she won the show in 2005:
“It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table. Welcome home, @carrieunderwood!”
She responded, “Thank you Ryan! Excited to be coming back home!”
Luke Bryan added in a post of his own, “Hey @carrieunderwood, @lionelrichie, and @ryanseacrest, this is gonna be one of the most amazin’ seasons EVER! P.S. Carrie, the view is different from the desk, you’re gonna love it!”
Lionel Richie also welcomed Underwood with a series of enthusiastic Instagram Stories.
Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol alum to return as a judge.
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