This Southern 'American Idol' Winner—Now Country Superstar—Will Be Sitting Behind The Judges' Table Next Spring

Katy Perry has been a fixture behind the American Idol judges’ table for the last seven years, but after recently announcing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she plans to leave the show to focus on her music, one beloved Idol alum is rising to the challenge.

Twenty years after her 2005 win, country music superstar Carrie Underwood is coming home to where it all began. On August 1, American Idol announced Underwood’s return in a sentimental video with a montage of hometown clips. Underwood, who skyrocketed to fame with hits like “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Blown Away”, will join the reality singing show alongside fellow judges Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan for Season 23 in Spring 2025. Ryan Seacrest is the show’s host (and has been since the very beginning).

In her original Idol audition, Underwood—Contestant #14887—stood out for her soulful rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and credited Martina McBride as her musical inspiration. She also demonstrated a very unique skill to Simon and Randy: clucking like a chicken. “I just clucked my way to American Idol!” she laughed. Notably, after collecting her golden ticket to Hollywood and hugging her mom—who drove all the way to St. Louis, MO for the audition—Underwood announced: “I’m going to get to fly on a plane!”

In the two decades since her win, the Checotah, Oklahoma-raised country singer has had some record successes—plane trips notwithstanding—including eight Grammys, 85 million records sold, and 28 number-one singles. She now lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband, former NHL hockey player Mike Fisher, and their two sons. She also has a Las Vegas residency.

In the American Idol announcement, Carrie reflected on the years since leaving the show. “I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” she 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 video finishes with a sweet throwback of 21-year-old Underwood in Checotah, saying, “Even if I go far away, this is my home.”

Underwood will make her judge debut on American Idol on ABC and Hulu this coming spring. She is the first Idol alum to join the judges’ table.

Congratulations, Carrie!