Carrie Underwood will replace Katy Perry as a judge on the upcoming Season 23 of American Idol. Perry announced back in February that she was stepping away from Idol, with Season 22 being her last as a judge.
Underwood will appear alongside returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as longtime host Ryan Seacrest. Good Morning America formally announced the news on Thursday, August 1, and shared a look back at Underwood’s history with American Idol with a special video, showing a yet-undiscovered Underwood preparing to audition for the show 20 years ago.
Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, said in a statement: “This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on Idol and launched her successful multi-Grammy Award-winning career, As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows of television. This is a full-circle moment both for the show and for audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home Carrie.”
American Idol showrunner Megan Wolflick said: “Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol alum ever to join the judging panel. Her global superstar status as the most successful Idol winner to date makes her a perfect fit for the show. She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story. Our future hopefuls will have the chance to receive advice from someone who has walked in their exact footsteps every step of the way. Carrie has always been a strong supporter of Idol, and I’m thrilled for her to be reunited with our Idol Family.”
Underwood said: “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show, and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished since.” The country superstar got her start in the music industry after she became the show’s fourth ‘Idol’ winner in 2005; in the two decades since her win, Underwood has gone on to sell 85 million records worldwide with 28 No. 1 chart-topping singles, and has earned eight Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, ten People’s Choice Awards and seven CMA Awards.
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