Carrie Underwood is set to make her triumphant return to the show that launched her career.
This time, however, she’ll be sitting on the other side of the table as the newest judge on American Idol.
At 41, Carrie Underwood is stepping into a role that seems tailor-made for her. As the first American Idol judge to have actually competed on the show, Underwood brings a unique perspective to the panel. Her journey from winning Season 4 in 2005 to becoming a multi-platinum-selling artist makes her an invaluable asset to the show and its contestants.
Carrie Underwood joins Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest on the show. Fans recently spotted the four filming auditions in New York City, kicking off what promises to be an exciting Season 23.
View this post on Instagram
During an exclusive interview with Extra, Underwood opened up about the difficulties of her new role. While she’s enjoying the “very pleasant working conditions,” she admits that the hardest part is having to turn away hopeful contestants.
“(It’s hard) whenever somebody is saying, ‘I can sing another one! I have this song, and this song.’ I did one yesterday and I was like, ‘Okay!’ But then that’s, like, even worse because now it’s like, ‘Eh, still a no.’ Like, ugh!”
RELATED: Carrie Underwood Reveals The Song She Will Never Perform Live: “It’s Too Special”
Fellow judge Luke Bryan, during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, confirmed that Underwood was excelling in her new role but struggling with the emotional aspect of rejecting contestants.
He told Fallon, “Yesterday we had a kid (who was) like, ‘I will work so hard’ and Carrie was like, ‘I didn’t realize they would do this!'”
Underwood steps into the role previously held by Katy Perry, who decided to leave Idol after seven seasons. The announcement of Underwood as the new judge came exactly two months before filming began, creating a buzz of excitement among fans.
The upcoming season of American Idol will debut in spring 2025. Will you be tuning in?