Carrie Underwood Marks Her Second Season As An Idol Judge
There’s one big regret that Carrie Underwood has about her days as a contestant on American Idol.
Carrie Underwood is currently in her second season as a judge on American Idol. Sitting on the panel alongside her are Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
When news broke that she would be joining the show, fans were very excited. The “Before He Cheats” singer got her own big break there nearly 20 years ago when she won season 4 in 2005. She’s the first former contestant to return to the show as a judge.
And because she knows what it’s like to be an up-and-coming singer trying to make it through the competition, she’s been able to connect with contestants in a way we haven’t always seen before.
For some fans, that has been both a good and bad thing.
During her time as a judge, Carrie has received criticism from some viewers about being a bit too harsh. Just last week, she was booed by the live audience for not liking a song choice from a contestant.
At the end of the day, though, she lets it roll off her back. Carrie knows the feedback is meant to help the contestants grow and become the best artists they can be.
Boo me. I don’t care. 😂😜🤪@AmericanIdol
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) March 3, 2026
What Does Carrie Regret The Most About Her Time As An Idol Contestant?
Obviously, Carrie doesn’t pay much attention to the negative comments she gets as a judge. So far, she has no regrets about how she guides the contestants.
However, when she looks back at her time competing on the show, she admits there is something she wishes she had done differently.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Carrie revealed that her biggest regret is not taking more photos during the life-changing experience.
“I’m very angry with myself because when I was on the show, I wasn’t taking any pictures,” she says. “I’m thinking, ‘Why? Why didn’t you do that? Why didn’t you save these things?’”
It wasn’t always something Carrie had thought about. She later realized how little she documented her time on the show after meeting another former contestant.
“We had a girl come in that had a pair of jeans that I wore on the show. She told me, ‘My grandpa bought these at a charity auction and I wore them on the show,’” she shared. “I asked, ‘Can I buy them back from you?’”
“Why did I let them go? Why didn’t I keep more things and just document things a little better?,” she added.
American Idol‘s First-Ever Ohana Round Begins
Tonight, March 9, American Idol heads to Hawaii as the judges and contestants kick off the show’s all-new Ohana Round.
At this stage, fans will watch the Top 30 contestants perform, but this time they won’t just be singing for the judges’ approval.
While Carrie, Luke, and Lionel will still be there to offer feedback, the decision about who moves on to the Top 20 during the three-episode stint in Hawaii will be made by “industry taskmakers.”
That group includes singer Loren Gray, Broadway star Cheryl Porter, Grand Ole Opry host Kelly Sutton, and more.
