It's all coming together for Carrie Underwood.
The Grammy-winning country music star will return to the roots of her fame by joining ABC’s “American Idol” as the latest member of its judging panel, the network announced Thursday morning. When the new season premieres next year, the “Before He Cheats” musician — who won the singing competition in 2005 — will be on the other side of the microphone to help returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan crown a new musical sensation.
“I went from no one knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” the eight-time Grammy winner recalled in a social media video revealing her appearance. “I’m proud of everything I was able to accomplish on this show and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since then.”
The “American Idol” Season 4 winner and Country Music Hall of Famer will take over for former judge Katy Perry, who announced her departure in February. The “Woman's World” singer broke the news on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, saying she is returning her focus to her music.
“I love ‘Idol,’” Perry said at the time. “It’s connected me to the heart of America, but I need to get out and feel the pulse of my own beat.”
Perry joined the series in 2018 and served as a judge for seven seasons alongside Richie and Bryan. But her tenure wasn’t always well-received by “American Idol” fans. The “California Gurls” hitmaker faced criticism on multiple occasions for her on-air behavior, including accusations that she “humiliated a contestant as a mother.” Last year, she also made headlines for her emotional rant against gun violence in the United States after a contestant revealed he survived a school shooting.
Despite the mixed reception from fans, Perry said in February that she is open to returning to “American Idol” after her new creative chapter.
Veteran host Ryan Seacrest will be back at the helm when “American Idol” returns for Season 23 (the eighth on ABC) next spring. The nationwide search for contestants, dubbed “Idol Across America,” will begin Aug. 12 with auditions in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. “Idol” auditions will roll out to California, among other states, on Aug. 19, and the show will host multiple open casting calls from late August through mid-September.
“American Idol” crowned Abi Carter, a 21-year-old singer from Indio, as its latest winner in May.
