Luke Bryan Sends a Bold Message to Carrie Underwood

Last week, American Idol broke the news that its most successful winner—Grammy-winning country singer Carrie Underwood —would be taking the seat at the judges’ table left by the departure of Katy Perry .

For Season 8 on ABC (Season 25 overall), the “Before He Cheats” singer will join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie in the search for the next singing sensation.

While guesting on Audacy’s “The Morning Wolfpack With Matt McAllister,” Bryan was asked what advice he has for the new judge.

“If she has a therapist, she’s probably going to have to double [up] to deal with me and Lionel,” he said. Then added, “Do therapists do gift cards? I can call her therapist and gift her a voucher.”

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Richie also weighed in on his new co-judge. He told he told E! News Aug. 5 while attending the Grammy Museum's screening of The Greatest Night in Pop, "It makes a lot of sense. It's not someone we have to get used to. And the fact that she has a great story, she came from American Idol ."

"What a great judge," Lionel continued, "now we don't have to explain anymore, 'We know how you feel.' As artists, we know how you feel, but we've never been in that oval that says, American Idol . She's been there, done that."

As for her part, Underwood talked about the kind of judge that she thinks she'll be when the announcement of her joining American Idol was made on Good Morning America.

She said, "I do have a big problem, I can't lie. I feel like I'll be very honest but hopefully I can be very constructive and encouraging."

Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol and has gone on to win eight Grammy Awards and has sold more than 85 million records worldwide, recording 28 No. 1s since her win in 2005 and is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2008 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.

Season eight auditions will kick off Monday, Aug. 12, with the return of “ Idol Across America ,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

American Idol will return to ABC in Spring 2025.

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