Carrie Underwood, the iconic country music star who first rose to fame as the winner of American Idol‘s fourth season, is set to return to the show—but this time, she’ll be sitting at the judges’ table. Underwood will be replacing Katy Perry on the panel for the upcoming 25th season, joining current judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
This exciting development comes after months of speculation about who would take over Perry’s spot. Various names, including Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, were reportedly in the mix, with Luke Bryan also hinting at potential candidates like Pink and Meghan Trainor. However, the decision to bring back Underwood—a true American Idol success story—will likely resonate well with fans of the long-running show.
Underwood’s return to American Idol is particularly poignant, given her history with the series. She originally auditioned with Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and her powerful performance of Heart’s “Alone” is widely credited with securing her victory. Since then, she has gone on to sell around 85 million records, making her one of the most successful Idol alums to date.
One of the pivotal moments in Underwood’s career post-Idol was the release of her hit single “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” This song, which quickly became a massive success, was more than just a chart-topping single; it touched the hearts of many with its powerful message of faith and surrender. “Jesus, Take the Wheel” not only solidified Underwood’s place in country music but also established her as an artist capable of delivering songs with deep emotional and spiritual resonance. The track continues to be a favorite among fans and remains one of the most memorable hits from her extensive catalog.
The idea of bringing back former contestants as judges isn’t new. In fact, in 2018, the show’s producers reportedly considered Kelly Clarkson, the first-ever American Idol winner, for a judging role. Clarkson ultimately joined The Voice instead, but the concept of leveraging the success of former contestants continues to appeal to the show’s creators.
As for Katy Perry, her departure from the show marks the end of an era. Perry joined American Idol in its 16th season when the show was rebooted by ABC after its original run on Fox. She recently announced that she would be stepping down to focus more on her music career, with her latest release, “Woman’s World,” having dropped earlier this month.
ABC recently renewed American Idol for its eighth season on the network, and the show has continued to deliver strong ratings since its revival in 2018. Produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, which is part of Sony-owned Industrial Media, the series will once again be hosted by Ryan Seacrest as it enters its milestone 25th season.
Carrie Underwood’s return to American Idol is sure to bring a fresh dynamic to the judging panel while also offering a nostalgic nod to the show’s roots. Fans of the series can look forward to seeing how she will shape the future of the competition that first launched her career.
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