On Thursday (August 1), American Idol announced that Carrie Underwood would be joining the judging panel for Season 23.

Longtime judge Katy Perry announced before Season 22 that it would be her last. For the whole season, fans had speculated who would be the replacement. Names that were reportedly in the running were Jelly Roll, Jon Bon Jovi, P!nk, Miley Cyrus, and Meghan Trainor. Judge Luke Bryan himself said that the show was in talks with the women on this list.

Of all the names being speculated, Trainor was the only one extremely vocal about wanting the job.

While speaking with Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen, Trainor said, “I’ve done every interview in the world and said that that is my dream job, and I have emailed three awesome people who work in that world who don’t really have the final say … but I have begged for this job … it’s my favorite show — I’ve watched it since I was a child.”

merican Idol threw a curve ball when they revealed Carrie Underwood would be returning to the show that made her famous 20 years ago.

 

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On Friday (August 2), Underwood performed at Good Morning America‘s Summer Concert Series.

On June 26, Good Morning America announced their annual Summer Concert Series. Performers including Kane Brown, Megan Moroney, and Carrie Underwood were the names that piqued our interest.

The new American Idoljudge performed SONGS in Central Park for a crowd of screaming fans. in between songs, she chatted with hosts Lara Spencer and Sam Champion about her music and her new gig!

Spencer asked her how it feels to be going back to American Idol after 20 years, to which Underwood responded, “It feels like home.”

“There’s so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant, so I feel like being on both sides of the coin I’ll be able to offer some insight and help.”

Spencer then asked Underwood why typoe of judge she thinks she will be.

“I do have a big problem, hopefully it’s not a problem,” she explained. “I can’t lie. I just can’t. You can tell. Hopefully I’ll be very honest, but very encouraging.”

Champion said he thinks she will still be tough without being hard on the contestants.

“No, oh gosh no!” Underwood said. “Just ask my kids!”

Watch Underwood talk about her new gig below!

.@carrieunderwood says returning to @AmericanIdol “feels like home”: “I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to offer insight and help and kind of a different viewpoint.”#CarrieUnderwoodOnGMA #AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/xUb9jzdh34

— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 2, 2024