Carrie Underwood Returns to ‘American Idol’ as Judge, Replacing Katy Perry
Carrie Underwood is set to return to the “American Idol” stage, this time as a judge for the upcoming season. The Grammy-winning country star, who won the show’s fourth season in 2005, will take over from Katy Perry, according to a source close to the production.
ABC has yet to confirm the news, and representatives for Underwood have not commented. She will join fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who are set to return for Season 23 of the competition.
Katy Perry, who announced her departure earlier this year on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” is stepping down after seven seasons, expressing that “American Idol” has deeply connected her with the American audience.
Underwood’s new role marks a full-circle moment as she becomes the first former winner to return as a judge, nearly two decades after her initial triumph. TMZ first reported Underwood’s new position on the show.
