Carrie Underwood Returns To ‘Idol’: Ryan Seacrest Reacts

From winner to judge, Carrie Underwood is experiencing a full-circle moment! It’s been confirmed that she’ll be stepping in to replace Katy Perry at the judges’ table for the upcoming season of “American Idol.”

At 41, Underwood will be joining Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan on the panel for season 23. Having won “American Idol” in 2005, she’s no stranger to the stage.

Following ABC’s confirmation that Carrie Underwood is returning to “American Idol,” host Ryan Seacrest broke his silence, relating a heartfelt post on social media.

Following the speculation that Katy Perry would be leaving “American Idol” after seven seasons, she confirmed that her time had come to an end, expressing that while being a judge on “Idol” has “healed my heart,” it is time to say goodbye.

“It’s been incredible to be on this journey with them,” Perry said on “Good Morning America” of her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as host Ryan Seacrest.

She is now shifting her focus to her return to music.

Eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer Carrie Underwood is having a full circle moment as it’s been confirmed she will replace Katy Perry at the judges table for the upcoming season of “American Idol.”

“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” the singer said in the announcement video shared by ABC. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since.”

As a reminder, Underwood won season four of the competition show.

Hours after hearing the news, the current host of the ABC singing competition show, who also hosted when Carrie Underwood won her season, broke his silence by sharing a heartfelt post on social media.

“It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of ‘American Idol’ 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table,” he wrote alongside a throwback photo of the two on stage during Underwood’s season. “Welcome home, Carrie Underwood!”

Fans immediately reacted to the news, expressing their excitement and support for the “Before He Cheats” singer. “Very excited for Carrie to be a judge,” one Instagram user said. “She knows exactly what those contestants are going through and it’s going to bring a more personable interaction with everybody.”

“Yay! She’s one of my favorite people! So are you Ryan,” another said, adding a laughing face emoji. “She will be amazing with you, Luke and Lionel! Can’t wait to see y’all together.”

Others took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to express their shock and excitement. “Wow, this is a surprise!” one X user said. “Carrie Underwood would be an amazing addition to the ‘American Idol’ judges’ panel!”

“Her country roots and experience as a winner of the show would bring a fresh perspective. Not sure I’m ready to say goodbye to Katy Perry’s sass and humor, but Carrie would be a great fit!” they added.

Another user said, “100% a perfect choice. She’s been down the road. She understands exactly what they’re going through. I think it’s fantastic.”

A third wrote, “That’s actually perfect,” as a fourth expressed, “Carrie Underwood is coming back to ‘American Idol,’ but this time she’ll be on the other side of the judges’ table!”

“Excited to see her back where it all began!” another pointed out.

Two years ago, Carrie Underwood admitted that she wouldn’t be where she is today without the singing competition show.

“I learned a lot, I learned an insane amount,” Underwood said in an interview with the Must Watch Show, per Us Weekly, at the time. “And so much of that is still applied today, it still holds true to what I do now. It was star boot camp and I was trying to soak in as much as I possibly could and, obviously, it launched my career.”

“American Idol” returns to ABC and Hulu in spring 2025.