Carrie Underwood will be joining the judging panel for the upcoming season of American Idol, and her co-judge, Lionel Richie, has one request for her as a first-time judge.
Carrie Underwood will be taking Katy Perry’s place in the new season of American Idol.
When news broke that Katy Perry would be leaving her role as a judge on the singing competition, many were eager to find out who would step into her shoes. Six months later, it was finally announced that Idol alum Carrie Underwood would be joining the judging panel for Season 23. Underwood, who won Season 4 of the competition in 2005, has become one of the show’s most successful contestants in its two-decade run.
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Alongside her will be returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. While they are undoubtedly excited for the country star to join the show, Lionel Richie revealed in a recent conversation with Fox News Digital that there is one thing he hopes Underwood doesn’t do as a first-time judge.
Lionel Richie says he doesn’t want Carrie Underwood to try to be anyone else.
When asked how he believed Underwood would be different from Katy Perry on the show, Richie replied, “Everyone is different than Katy.”
Because no one is like another, and each judge brings something unique to the panel, Richie wants Underwood to find her own style and not feel pressured to act like past judges.
“There’s only one Katy… let me just make that statement clear,” he said.
“I want Carrie to come in and find her person out there, her person,” Richie continued. “I’m very happy they got Carrie, because… we want someone who is going to bring their light to the table.”
There’s no doubt that the eight-time Grammy Award winner will bring a fresh perspective to the show, especially with her experience as a contestant.
“Carrie understands this better than anyone. She came from here. This is where she started… So, we welcome her… Her addition to this show is going to be amazing,” Richie added.