Entertainment
Carrie Underwood Is Set To Join American Idol Season 23
She replaces former judge Katy Perry.
After Katy Perry announced her American Idol exit in February, the talent show has reportedly turned to one of its most successful alums to replace her: Carrie Underwood.
Underwood is set to join American Idol Season 23 as a judge in 2025 and is expected to sit on the panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, according to The Hollywood Reporter. ABC will formally announce the singer’s Idol return in August, as per the outlet.
The country music star won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She has sold roughly 85 million records since her victory, having released eight studio albums, four of which topped the Billboard 200. The singer has also won eight Grammys and 16 Academy of Country Music awards.
Longtime judge Bryan previously teased that several major names were in the running to become Perry’s Idol successor, telling Billboard that Miley Cyrus, Pink, and Meghan Trainor were “in the talks.” He joined American Idol alongside Richie in Season 16 when ABC revived the long-running talent competition. Perry joined the panel in 2018 and later announced she would be leaving in early 2024 after seven seasons.
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in February, the “Woman’s World” singer cited her busier schedule as the reason for her departure.
Fans now know Perry was referring to her upcoming studio album, 143, which drops on Sept. 20. The release will follow her next single “Lifetimes,” which debuts on Aug. 9 with a music video.
“This September, I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio. It’s really exciting. It’s a big deal for people all over the world, especially my Brazilian fans,” she also told host Jimmy Kimmel at the time. “So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.”
“I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America. But I need to feel that pulse of my own beat,” Perry continued. “I love the show so much but I want to go see the world and maybe bring new music,” she concluded, teasing that she might “come back if they have me one day.”
