Get ready Idol fans because things are shaking up! American Idol is back for Season 23 and there is a brand new face at the judges' table. And it's not just any face it's Oklahoma's own superstar Carrie Underwood ! Yep the country queen herself is stepping in to replace Katy Perry and we are here for it.
Carrie Comes Home: Idol Winner Returns to Judge New Talent in Season 23
Can you believe it has been almost 20 years since Carrie Underwood won American Idol Season 4? Talk about a full circle moment! Now she is back not as a contestant obviously but as a judge sitting right next to legends Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. It is history in the making folks she is the first ever Idol winner to become a judge on the show. How cool is that?
Carrie actually had her Hollywood Week in the very same theater in downtown Los Angeles where they are filming now. She admits it is a total mind trip. Back then she was a 21-year-old from Oklahoma who had never even been on a plane before. Everything felt huge and overwhelming. Now she is on the other side of the table watching hopefuls audition and remembering her own journey. She even jokes about seeing contestants and thinking "This is the Bo Bice of this year!" Talk about nostalgia!
From Nervous Wreck to Seasoned Pro: Carrie's Judge Journey Begins
Lionel Richie spilled some tea saying Carrie was a "nervous wreck" at first about being a judge. Apparently it is tough to be the one saying "no" to so many dreams. But hey even Lionel and Luke admitted they still struggle with that part. They get invested in these contestants lives and stories and it is not easy to let them go.
But don't worry Carrie is a pro. Ryan Seacrest himself remembers the "electricity" when Carrie won and says she still has that "charming awe" about her. Producers had been thinking about bringing her back and when Katy Perry announced she was leaving it seemed like perfect timing. Carrie even admitted she wondered if they would call her! And thankfully they did.
Homemade Treats and Judge Chemistry: Carrie Fits Right in with Luke and Lionel
It sounds like Carrie has found her groove with Lionel and Luke pretty quickly. They are spending long days together in New York Nashville and Los Angeles checking out tons of auditioners. Lionel even shared a sweet story about Carrie bringing homemade treats from her farm in Tennessee. Apparently they were so good they "couldn't stop eating them!" Sounds like judge bonding to us.
Luke Bryan promises this season will have a wide range of talent from all sorts of backgrounds reflecting what America is all about. And what exactly are the judges looking for? Lionel says it is that special something that makes a song sound brand new even if you have heard it a million times. Carrie even teased that she has seen some people audition and thought "I'm glad you weren't born when I was trying out!" Sounds like some serious talent this year folks.
Hold On... Is Carrie Failing as a Judge? One Opinion Says She Needs to Make a Change
Now it is not all sunshine and rainbows. One opinion piece suggests Carrie might be struggling a bit as a judge at least at first. The writer points out that in a preview clip Carrie told a contestant not to say "I'm just a stay-at-home mom." While Carrie meant well encouraging the contestant to value herself the writer feels it might be overstepping and not really her place to dictate how contestants express themselves.
The article also wonders if Carrie's massive star power might overshadow the contestants who are trying to break through. And Lionel Richie's "nervous wreck" comment is brought up again as a potential sign of Carrie being too emotionally invested and sensitive. However the article does end on a hopeful note suggesting Carrie can still turn things around and find her footing as a judge. It is definitely a different perspective to consider.
Jelly Roll Joins the Idol Family: Artist-in-Residence Adds Extra Star Power
Adding even more excitement to Season 23 Grammy-nominated singer Jelly Roll is joining American Idol as the first ever "artist in residence." He is going to be working closely with the contestants giving them advice and sharing his own experiences on navigating the music industry. Having Jelly Roll on board is another cool addition and will surely be valuable for the hopefuls.
Ready to Watch? Here's How to Catch Carrie on American Idol Season 23
Want to see Carrie Underwood in action as an American Idol judge? Season 23 premieres on Sunday March 9th at 8pm ET on ABC. If you miss it on TV you can stream episodes on Hulu the next day. You can also catch it live on the ABC app or website and on live-streaming sites. There was even a sneak peek episode that aired after the Oscars which you might be able to find on Hulu too. So plenty of ways to watch!
Key Things to Know About Carrie Underwood on American Idol Season 23:
- Idol Winner Judge: Carrie is the first American Idol winner to return as a judge.
- Replacing Katy Perry: She is taking over Katy Perry's spot on the judging panel.
- Joining Legends: She sits alongside returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
- Emotional Journey: Carrie is described as being emotionally invested and initially a "nervous wreck".
- Hollywood Week Nostalgia: She had her own Hollywood Week auditions in the same theater adding a nostalgic element.
- Jelly Roll Artist-in-Residence: Grammy nominee Jelly Roll will mentor contestants.
- Season 23 Premiere: Airs Sunday March 9th on ABC and streams on Hulu.
Will Carrie Shine as a Judge? Tune in and See!
So there you have it Carrie Underwood's journey from American Idol winner to judge is officially underway. Will she be amazing? Will she be a "nervous wreck?" Will she find her footing and help discover the next big star? You will have to tune in to American Idol Season 23 and see for yourself. It is sure to be an interesting and emotional ride with Carrie at the judges' table!