It's a homecoming: Carrie Underwood joins American Idol as judge

It’s official! Carrie Underwood is going back to her roots joining American Idol's judges panel in Season 23, replacing Katy Perry who left last season. Underwood will be joined by returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as longtime show host Ryan Seacrest.

Photo bybusinessinsider.com

The news was formally announced on Thursday with an emotional video of Underwood saying, “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.”

Returning to American Idol is a homecoming for Underwood, who got her start in the music business when she won the show back in 2005.

Photo bycountryliving.com

Underwood has since sold over 85 million records worldwide and won 8 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 17 American Music Awards. She was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry and Billboard ranked her the top female country artist of the 2000s and 2010s.

Auditions for season 23 of American Idol begin on Monday, August 12th but new episodes will not air until next spring.