Will Carrie Underwood Replace Katy Perry As A Judge On ‘American Idol?’

Sources tell TMZ that Underwood is close to finalizing her contract to become the next Idol judge!

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

July 31, 2024

at

4:13 pm

Share on:

Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry; Photos Courtesy of ABC

While auditions for Season 8 of American Idol have already begun, the show has yet to confirm who will be replacing Katy Perry on the judges’ panel. However, according to information obtained by TMZ, Carrie Underwood is up for the role and is currently in the final stages of securing a contract with the hit ABC show. 

The country music superstar has a long history with American Idol, so landing this gig would be an incredibly full-circle moment for her. In 2004, she walked into the audition room as a nervous 21-year-old and won over the judges with her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Underwood ended up being crowned winner of Season 4, which aired in 2005, and went on to become one of the biggest names in country music. She also reigns as one of the most successful American Idol contestants of all time.

Carrie Underwood, American Idol Audition; Photo via YouTube
Carrie Underwood, American Idol Audition; Photo via YouTube

Since 2018, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have been guiding hopeful contestants through the popular singing competition show with their witty antics and valued wisdom. All these of these singer/songwriters stepped into their roles at the same time when ABC revived the show following a 15-season streak on its original network, Fox. They served seven successful seasons of American Idol together until Perry announced that she would be bidding farewell from the show back in February while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! 

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she told Kimmel. “I mean 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, you what I’m saying Jimmy?”

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless

At the time, her Idol cohorts, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, were unaware of her decision to leave the show, but they have since shown support for her decision to shift her focus to her music career.

Perry’s journey on Idol officially came to a close during the finale of the seventh season on ABC and 22nd run overall.

While we know for sure that Perry will not be appearing on Season 8, it is still unclear whether or not Bryan and Richie will be returning to the table. The “Mind Of A Country Boy” singer, recently told Billboard that the network has been “really tightlipped” about the future of Idol and appears to be keeping him, Richie and host Ryan Seacrest in the dark about their status with the show. 

Luke Bryan; Photo By ABC/Stewart Cook
Luke Bryan; Photo By ABC/Stewart Cook

“It’s been interesting,” said Bryan. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel and (host) Ryan (Seacrest).

“We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back,” he continued. “I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.”

If Carrie Underwood is confirmed to appear on the newest panel, she will join an esteemed list of judges who have come before her. Past American Idol judges include Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, who served as the first set of judges, followed by Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Kicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr., and of course, the most recent being Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. 

Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson
Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson

With this role, Underwood would definitely have her plate full as she also recently announced the extension of her Las Vegas residency at Resorts World with new dates set for March and April 2025. The newly announced dates come in addition to Underwood’s already announced 2024 performances, which will take place in August and October. 

The eight-time GRAMMY winner is also set to perform live this Friday, August 2 in Central Park as part of the 2024 Good Morning America Summer Concert Series.

Share on:

Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.