Ryan Seacrest and Carrie Underwood’s connection dates back to 2005, when Seacrest played a pivotal role in introducing her to the world as a contestant on “American Idol.” Now, nearly two decades later, their professional paths are crossing again in a significant way.
On August 1, Underwood was announced as the newest judge on “American Idol,” joining the panel alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. This development marks a notable shift, with Underwood taking over the spot previously held by Katy Perry. Seacrest, who is now 49, has described the situation as a “full-circle” moment.
“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,” Seacrest wrote on Instagram following the announcement. “Welcome home, @carrieunderwood!”
In his Instagram post, Seacrest shared two photos of himself with Underwood. The first image is from the finale of the show’s fourth season, where Underwood emerged victorious over Bo Bice. The second photo was taken in 2016 during the show’s final season on Fox. The show was later revived by ABC in March 2018.
Underwood, who is now 41, will make history as the first former contestant to join the judge’s panel. Her new role was revealed on “Good Morning America,” accompanied by a nostalgic clip of Underwood recalling her journey from her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, to her audition for the show. In the clip, she reflects on her early days: “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.’ I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.”
Underwood expressed pride in her achievements, both on “American Idol” and in her subsequent career. As a recording artist, she has sold 85 million records globally and has accumulated numerous accolades, including 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and 7 CMA Awards. She has previously appeared on “Idol” as a guest and served as a mentor during the season 20 semifinals in 2022. Season 23 of “American Idol,” which Underwood will join as a judge, is slated to premiere in Spring 2025 with Seacrest returning as the host.
Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, commented on Underwood’s appointment: “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 television’s most popular shows. 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.”
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The announcement follows Katy Perry’s reveal in February that she would not return for the next season of “American Idol,” sparking speculation about her replacement. Luke Bryan had previously hinted at potential candidates, mentioning names like Pink, Miley Cyrus, and Meghan Trainor. In July, Bryan noted that the details about the new judge were still under wraps, with Disney keeping a tight lid on the decision.
