American Idol: Carrie Underwood Replacing Katy Perry in Season 23 — Which Judges Are Returning?

It’s official: Carrie Underwood is joining American Idol in Season 23, filling the seat left vacant by Katy Perry. Underwood will be joined by returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as longtime host Ryan Seacrest.

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The news was formally announced Thursda y , accompanied by an emotional look back at Underwood’s history with Idol ; the country superstar got her start in the music business when she became the show’s fourth-ever winner in 2005.

Underwood is regarded as “the most successful Idol winner to date” in a statement from showrunner Megan Wolflick. “She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story,” Wolflick writes. “Our future hopefuls will have the chance to receive advice from someone who has walked in their exact footsteps every step of the way. Carrie has always been a strong supporter of Idol , and I’m thrilled for her to be reunited with our Idol Family.”

New episodes won’t air on ABC and Hulu until early 2025, but Season 23 auditions begin on Monday, Aug. 12. The full “ Idol Across America” audition schedule can be found on the show’s official website.

For what it’s worth (and we think it’s worth a lot ), Underwood was among TVLine’s picks for Perry’s potential replacement. Here’s what we wrote at the time: “Not only is she an Idol winner, therefore capable of speaking to the contestants from a place of experience, but Underwood also has lots of TV hosting practice under belt via multiple CMA Award ceremonies. Maybe we’ll let Jesus take the wheel on this one.” And now, Jesus has steered Underwood straight to the judges’ panel.

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Perry shocked fans in February when she announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that Season 22 of American Idol would be her last. “I think this will probably be my last season for Idol ,” she said at the time. “I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat.”

Perry had been a judge on American Idol since the competition was rebooted by ABC in 2018. Her final episode , which aired in May, featured a special performance of her 2020 song “What Makes a Woman,” for which she wore a dress patterned with the faces of Idol contestants whose journeys she has shepherded during her time on the show.

How do you feel about Underwood rejoining the Idol family, this time as a judge? Hit PLAY on the show’s official announcement video above, then drop a comment with your thoughts below.

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