American Idol fans get ready for a blast from the past and a fresh face at the judges ' table! Carrie Underwood yes THE Carrie Underwood is officially joining American Idol as a judge for Season 23. Can you believe it? The country superstar who won season four way back in 2005 is coming full circle to help find the next big star. Let's dive into all the juicy details about Carrie's return and what to expect from the new season.
Luke Bryan Spills the Tea on Carrie Underwood's Judging Style: Turns Out She's a 'Sweet Kind Soul' (But Not Too Soft!)
So what's Carrie like as a judge? Fellow judge and country star Luke Bryan is giving us some insight. According to Luke Carrie is bringing her " sweet kind soul " to the show. He revealed that during auditions Carrie has had a little bit of a "learning situation" when it comes to saying no to hopeful contestants. Apparently it's tough for her to break the news to kids that they aren't Hollywood bound because she is just such a genuinely nice person.
Luke mentioned that Carrie is still learning the ropes of judging and dealing with the emotional side of things which is totally understandable. He and Lionel Richie can relate though as they felt the same way when they first started on Idol. But don't worry Luke assures us Carrie is "doing great" and they are all "having a blast" watching the talent together. It sounds like she might be the kind judge of the panel balancing out Luke and Lionel's critiques.
From Contestant to Judge: Carrie Underwood's Incredible American Idol Journey Comes Full Circle
It is pretty amazing to think about Carrie's journey right? She went from a hopeful contestant auditioning back in 2005 to becoming a massive global superstar and now returning as a judge twenty years later! Talk about an inspiration story. Carrie herself knows exactly what these contestants are going through. She stood in their shoes prayed for her big break and knows the rush of getting that golden ticket.
American Idol executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick calls Carrie's return "the ultimate American Idol success story." She thinks Carrie's presence will be inspiring for the contestants as they see someone who achieved their dreams through the show now guiding them. It is a unique dynamic having a former winner on the judges' panel for the first time in Idol history.
Carrie admits that judging is "way harder" than she expected. Watching from home is easy she says but sitting in that judge's chair and making decisions about people's dreams is a whole different ballgame. She realizes these are real people with real feelings and hopes and it is not easy to deliver critiques even when necessary.
Lionel Richie Says Carrie Underwood is a 'Nervous Wreck' (But in a Good Way!)
Lionel Richie also weighed in on Carrie's judging debut and his comments are pretty funny. He playfully said Carrie has been a " nervous wreck " on set because she struggles with telling contestants "no". Lionel jokes that it's the same struggle he and Luke went through initially. They get invested in the contestants' stories and lives and it's hard to deliver bad news.
Lionel’s comments though seem to be more about Carrie's empathy and caring nature rather than actual judging struggles. He even says they "almost become the parents" wanting the contestants to win in life. Longtime host Ryan Seacrest also chimed in saying Carrie's return "makes a statement that this show creates superstars." Bringing back someone as successful as Carrie as a judge really highlights the show's impact and legacy.
Idol to Icon Webseries: Carrie Underwood Takes Us Back to Her Season 4 Days
To celebrate Carrie's return and the show's history there's a special webseries coming called "Idol to Icon" . Carrie will host this webseries which will be released on YouTube starting March 4th. It's like a behind-the-scenes look at Carrie's own American Idol journey from season 4.
Carrie actually kept a journal during her time on Idol and the webseries will feature her reading exclusive entries from it. We will also see fashion highlights and behind-the-scenes moments from her run. This year marks 20 years since Carrie's big breakthrough so it is the perfect time to revisit her Idol story. The webseries episodes will roll out throughout the new season timed to match the current episodes. The final episode will even cover her finale memories and winning moment. It's a cool way for fans to connect with Carrie's past and present Idol experiences.
American Idol Season 23 Premiere Date and How to Watch
Mark your calendars American Idol Season 23 is premiering soon! You can catch a special sneak peek after the Oscars on Sunday March 2nd on ABC. The official season premiere is Sunday March 9th at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC. If you miss it live don't worry you can stream it the next day on Hulu. Get ready for a new season of talent dreams and Carrie Underwood's judging debut!
Key Takeaways: Carrie Underwood as American Idol Judge
- Carrie Underwood is the newest American Idol judge for Season 23.
- Luke Bryan says Carrie is a "sweet kind soul" who is still adjusting to saying "no" to contestants.
- Lionel Richie jokes Carrie is a "nervous wreck" due to her empathy for contestants.
- Carrie is the first American Idol winner to return as a judge.
- She will host a webseries "Idol to Icon" on YouTube reflecting on her Season 4 journey.
- American Idol Season 23 premieres March 9th on ABC with a preview after the Oscars March 2nd.