Guess what music lovers? American Idol is back for its 23rd season and there's a fresh face at the judges' table. Get ready for some country charm because Carrie Underwood is joining Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to find the next singing superstar! After Katy Perry's exit it's a big change but trust us it's an exciting one. Let's dive into all the details about the new season how to watch and what to expect.
Carrie Underwood Returns to American Idol But This Time She is Giving the Feedback Not Taking It!
That's right folks Carrie Underwood the queen of country music and a bonafide American Idol success story is coming back to the show. But this time she's not auditioning she's judging! After Katy Perry decided to step away from the show to focus on her own music career Idol went for a true legend to fill her shoes. And who better than Carrie Underwood a Season 4 winner who has become a massive Grammy-winning artist?
It is not Carrie's first time back on Idol since winning back in 2005. She has actually mentored contestants in past seasons but this is the first time she will be on the judges' panel full-time. Get ready for some honest but kind critiques because Carrie herself has said she wants to be "honest and constructive but still kind." She totally gets what these contestants are going through and wants to guide them on their journey. It's going to be awesome to see her perspective from the other side of the table.
How to Watch American Idol Season 23 Premiere and Catch Every Episode This Season
Mark your calendars and set your reminders because American Idol Season 23 officially premieres tonight Sunday March 9th at 8:00 PM Eastern Time . New episodes will air every Sunday night so get ready to make it appointment television.
Want to watch it live? Tune in to ABC . Cutting the cord? No problem! There are plenty of ways to stream American Idol without cable. Here are a few top options with free trials so you can check them out:
- DIRECTV Stream: Offers a five-day free trial. After the trial it's $86.99 per month for over 90 channels including ABC.
- fuboTV: Has a seven-day free trial. After the trial it's $84.99 per month (but you might get a discount on your first month). Fubo is known for its sports but also carries tons of other channels including ABC.
If you do not mind waiting a bit you can also catch American Idol episodes the next day on Hulu. Hulu usually has a free trial for new subscribers too so that is another way to watch some of the season without paying upfront. After the trial Hulu plans start at $9.99 per month.
What Else is New for American Idol Season 23? Jelly Roll as Artist in Residence and More!
Besides Carrie Underwood joining the judges there are some other cool things happening in Season 23. American Idol is introducing a new role called "artist in residence." Starting during Hollywood Week famous musicians will mentor the contestants giving them real-world advice as they compete.
The very first artist in residence is none other than Grammy-nominated country and rock star Jelly Roll! He will be giving contestants firsthand tips on how to navigate the crazy journey of American Idol. That is some seriously valuable guidance for these up-and-coming singers.
And of course you cannot have American Idol without Ryan Seacrest. He is back for his what feels like millionth season as host bringing his familiar charm and energy to the show. Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are also returning to complete the judging panel making it a star-studded lineup.
Why the Judge Shake-Up? Katy Perry Says Goodbye to Idol to Make New Music
You might be wondering why Katy Perry is leaving American Idol after being a judge for seven seasons. Well Katy herself explained she wants to get back to her own music. She mentioned wanting to "go and see the world and maybe bring new music" in an interview. And she is doing just that! Katy actually released her seventh album called "143" back in September 2024.
So while we will miss Katy's fun and sometimes quirky judging style it's awesome that she is following her passion and creating new music. And who knows maybe she will even pop back up on Idol as a guest mentor sometime in the future. Never say never in Hollywood right?
American Idol Season 23: How to Watch - Quick Guide
- Premiere Date: Sunday March 9 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/PT
- Channel: ABC
- Streaming Live: DIRECTV Stream (free trial) fuboTV (free trial)
- Streaming Next Day: Hulu
- Judges: Carrie Underwood Luke Bryan Lionel Richie
- Host: Ryan Seacrest
- New Feature: "Artist in Residence" - Jelly Roll is first
Get Ready to Tune In: American Idol Season 23 Promises New Talent and Country Charm
So there you have it! American Idol Season 23 is officially kicking off tonight with Carrie Underwood joining the judges panel alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and Ryan Seacrest back as host. Get ready for a fresh batch of hopeful singers some new twists and turns and plenty of entertainment. Whether you are a longtime Idol fan or new to the show this season promises to be one you won't want to miss. Grab your snacks settle in and get ready to discover the next American Idol!