Carrie Underwood Returns to American Idol 20 Years Later — This Time as a Judge

Carrie Underwood is having a full-circle moment.

The superstar singer became a household name when she won the fourth season of American Idol back in May 2005. And now she's returning to the reality singing competition, this time as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

It's a move makes Underwood the first former contestant to join the judge's panel. She'll take over for Katy Perry, who in February revealed that season 22 — which wrapped in May — would be her last so that she could focus on new music and a new tour.

News of Underwood's Idol gig was announced on Good Morning America on Thursday, Aug. 1, the ABC morning show previewing a video also shared on social media. The clip showed footage of Underwood's Idol debut, filmed when she was heading from her hometown in Checotah, Oklahoma to audition for the show.

"I remember being at home in our little house and seeing on TV that there were auditions in St. Louis. My mom said, 'If you want to go, I'll drive you,' " Underwood said. "I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show."

From there, things only got bigger. In the two decades since her win, Underwood has gong on to sell 85 million records worldwide and nab 28 No. 1 singles. Among her many awards include eight Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People's Choice Awards and seven CMA Awards.

"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," Underwood said.

American Idol debuted on Fox in June 2002 and ran for 15 seasons on the network before wrapping in April 2016. Two years after it's last episode, ABC revived the series, debuting it in March 2018 with Perry, Bryan and Richie at the judge's table.

Season 23 will premiere in spring 2025. Ryan Seacrest will once again host.

"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," Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group said in a press release.

Adding, "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."

In May, Underwood posted a throwback photo from her audition day and wrote“⭐️REFLECTION of the week: contestant number #14887 received her golden ticket to Hollywood!”

“I can’t believe it has been almost 20 years since auditioning for @AmericanIdol! #ReflectionOfTheWeek,” the country singer added.

The official American Idol Instagram page commented, “We 💙 you so much! 😍.”

Underwood returned to American Idol in 2022 to serve as a mentor for the season 20 semifinals. She also appeared on the show in 2018 to perform a soaring rendition of her single, “Cry Pretty" — and to be a guest mentor.

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Before she was announced, fellow judge Luke Bryan teased who could be stepping in next during an interview with Billboard.

“I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks," the "Country On" singer told the outlet.

“It’s been interesting,” he added. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel and Ryan. We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back. I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.”

Bryan also told the outlet that the "Firework" singer was "perfect for the job" so replacing her won't be easy. "I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did," he said.