It’s been nearly twenty years since Carrie Underwood won season four of American Idol. Now, she is returning to the show as a judge, as it’s just been announced that she’s replacing Katy Perry!
Underwood Replacing Perry On American Idol
Rumors had been swirling since Katy Perry announced she was leaving the show.
Now Underwood, 41, will be joining American Idol for season 23 alongside judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. She won season four of the beloved singing reality show back in 2005. The announcement included a clip from Underwood’s original audition.
“I remember being at home in our little house and seeing on TV that there were auditions in St. Louis. My mom said, ‘If you want to go, I’ll drive you,'” Underwood said. “I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.”
After winning American Idol, Underwood became a country music superstar. She has sold 85 million records worldwide and scored 28 No. 1 singles. She’s won eight Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, ten People’s Choice Awards and seven CMA Awards.
“I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show, and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished since,” Underwood said.
Related: Katy Perry Teases Possible ‘American Idol’ Return – ‘Keep That Seat Hot’
Next Season Of American Idol
Season 23 of American Idol is set to premiere in 2025. Ryan Seacrest has already signed on to return as host.
“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 of television,” Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group said in a statement.
“This is a full-circle moment both for the show and for audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades,” he added. “Welcome home Carrie.”
Underwood has returned to American Idol multiple times over the years, showing that she’s never forgotten where she came from. In 2018, she went on the show as a guest mentor and performed her song “Cry Pretty.” In 2022, Underwood served as a mentor once again for the semifinals of season 20 of the show.
Related: Here’s Who Could Replace Katy Perry On ‘American Idol’
Luke Bryan Sounds Off
Prior to this announcement, speculation had been running rampant for months as to who would replace Perry.
“I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks,” judge Luke Bryan told Billboard last month.
“It’s been interesting,” he continued. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel and Ryan. We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back. I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.”
Perry had announced back in February that season 22 of American Idol, which went on to wrap in May, would be her last. She had been a judge on the reality show since 2018, but decided to leave to focus on her music career. Bryan said that replacing Perry wouldn’t be easy because she was “perfect for the job.”
“I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did,” he added.
It seems that they found that perfect person in Underwood. We can’t wait to see how she does judging American Idol next season!
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