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Carrie Underwood to replace Katy Perry as new ‘American Idol’ judge: ‘Welcome home’
By Nicholas Hautman,
1 day ago
Carrie Underwood is coming home.
The “American Idol” Season 4 winner and country music superstar, 41, will replace Katy Perry as a judge on the ABC singing competition series next spring.
“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on ‘Idol’ and launched her successful, multi-Grammy Award-winning career,” Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich said in a statement Thursday.
“As a former ‘Idol’ and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television. This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”
Carrie Underwood will return to “American Idol” as a judge. Getty Images The country singer is replacing Katy Perry. Disney
“I love ‘Idol’ so much,” she said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” at the time. “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.”
The Grammy nominee has since announced that she will release a new album, titled “143,” in September.
Perry judged the show with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie for seven seasons. Disney The trio made their debut on the panel in 2018 after “Idol” moved from Fox to ABC. Disney Ryan Seacrest has been the host since 2002. ABC
Perry made her debut on the “American Idol” judging panel in 2018 alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie after the Ryan Seacrest-hosted show moved from Fox to ABC for its 16th season.
Page Six exclusively reported at the time that Perry had landed a $25 million salary , more than double Bryan’s and Richie’s paychecks, because she appealed to “a younger audience” and had a “huge social media following.”
The pay disparity did not cause issues among the judges, however, as they got along swimmingly on the air during their seven seasons together.
Perry announced in February that she was leaving the singing competition series. Disney She is set to release a new album in September. Getty Images
“Katy gets picked on for going out and trying to have fun making a TV show,” the “One Margarita” singer told Fox News in June 2023, adding that his colleague’s thick skin made him “appreciate her even more.”
For his part, Richie, 75, praised Perry as “humorous” and “knowledgeable” on “Kimmel” in February before voicing his support for her decision to “take some time and actually be an artist” after her “Idol” run.
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