Carrie Underwood on Returning to 'American Idol': 'It Feels Like Home'

Photo byRandee St. Nicholas

Carrie Underwood just announced she is returning to American Idol, this time as a judge, 20 years after she was crowned the Season 4 winner. The 41-year-old is eager to once again be part of the show that made her famous, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, after Katy Perry announced she was leaving the show.

“it feels like home,” Underwood tells Good Morning America. “There are so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant. And I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help and kind of offer a different viewpoint.”

Underwood does say she will be honest with all of the aspiring singers, perhaps to a fault.

“I do have a big problem … I can’t lie. I just can’t,” Underwood maintains. “You can tell. I feel like I’ll be very honest, but hopefully I can be very constructive and encouraging.”

When Underwood revealed she was joining American Idol, the mother of two said it was a welcome return to once again be part of the popular reality TV talent show.

“I remember being at home in our little house in Checotah, and seeing on TV that there were auditions in St. Louis. My mom said, ‘If you want to go, I’ll drive you,’” Underwood said in a video announcing her return.

“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.,” she continues. “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.”

Underwood also just released “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)” with Papa Roach, a song that sheds light on an important topic: suicide prevention. All of the proceeds from the song will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

“It’s a cause that’s very near and dear to Papa Roach and to Jacoby Shaddix, who is the main vocalist,” Underwood tells Good Morning America. “When they asked me to come sing on the song, I loved the song, and I loved their cause. They work a lot with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and they want to help people. They use their life story.”

In addition to appearing on American Idol, Underwood is also extending her REFLECTIONS: The Las Vegas Residency into 2025, due to fan demand. Find all of Underwood’s music and tour dates at CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com.