Singer Carrie Underwood, who emerged victorious in the fourth season of American Idol back in 2005, is set to join the American Idol judging panel, replacing Katy Perry, as reported by Deadline.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have firmly established myself in country music while also having the opportunity to explore various other music genres," Underwood stated. "For instance, I currently have a collaboration with Papa Roach. It's a thrilling experience." She added, "I consider myself versatile and hope that during auditions, I can adapt my perspective based on the music I hear."
Underwood also teased her approach to judging, saying, "I aim to be both candid and constructive yet remain compassionate. It's crucial because these contestants are pursuing their dreams, and from that moment forward, you're part of their narrative. Honesty is vital, but so is kindness, and I hope to combine both to be an effective judge."
Underwood holds the title of the most successful Idol winner, having secured eight Grammys and a total of 25 awards from the Academy of Country Music (16) and the Country Music Association (9). She has also topped the U.S. country charts with eight albums, including a greatest hits compilation, with four of them reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
American Idol, the singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller and produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, was distributed by Fremantle. It aired on Fox for 15 seasons from June 11, 2002, until April 7, 2016, and returned on ABC after a two-year hiatus starting March 11, 2018.
Underwood will judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Perry, Bryan, and Lionel Richie joined the show in Season 16 when ABC revived the competition. After seven seasons on the panel, Perry decided to step down from her judging role to concentrate on her music career. Her final appearance on the show was in May of this year, according to Deadline.
