‘American Idol’ Names Former Winner as New Judge
'American Idol' named the musician who's set to take Katy Perry's seat on the judge's panel beside Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan when the show returns in 2025.
American Idol has announced the musician who will take Katy Perry’s judge’s seat, and it’s someone with legendary ties to the show. The announcement was made Thursday morning on Good Morning America.
Joining host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie is eight-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood, whose career began in earnest after she won the fourth season of American Idol back in 2005.
“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on Idol and launched her successful, multi-Grammy Award-winning career,” Craig Erlich, president of Disney Television Group, said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Megan Wolfick, the show’s executive producer and showrunner, called Underwood “the most successful Idol winner to date” and noted that she’ll be the first winner to serve as a judge for the landmark talent show. “She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story,” Wolfick said. “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.”
In addition to her eight Grammys, Underwood has won 16 Academy of Country Music awards and nine trophies from the Country Music Association.
Perry announced she would be leaving her judging duties at the end of last season, her seventh with the program, to focus on her own music career. She and Bryan were the first hosts to anchor Idol after ABC revived Idol in 2018, two years after it was canceled at Fox.
American Idol’s 23rd season isn’t set to premiere until early 2025, but virtual auditions will kick off on August 12.