Carrie Underwood Shares What Kind of ‘American Idol’ Judge She’ll Be

Eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer Carrie Underwood is gearing up to take on a new role as a judge on the upcoming season of “American Idol.” This exciting announcement was made on “Good Morning America” earlier this month, signifying a homecoming for Underwood, who initially gained fame as the show’s season 4 winner.

During a recent interview with SiriusXM’s “Music Row Happy Hour,” Underwood shared her thoughts on the approach she intends to bring to the judging panel. Known for her candid yet considerate demeanor, she emphasized the importance of being “honest” but “constructive” when evaluating contestants.

Underwood’s return to “American Idol” in the spring of 2025 will mark two decades since her victory on the show. Reflecting on this full-circle moment, she expressed her intention to balance honesty with kindness, qualities she deems essential for this role.

“I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind,” Underwood said. She acknowledged the emotional weight of the audition process for contestants. “People are coming in, and it’s dreams, and you’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on,” she added. “So, I think it’s important to be honest, but I think it’s also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all those together.”

Despite her country music roots, Underwood considers herself a versatile artist, having explored various genres like pop, rock, and gospel. She believes this versatility will be an asset in evaluating a diverse range of talents on the show.

“I feel like I’ve been very blessed to obviously be so rooted in country music, but I’ve been able to be a part of many other genres of music as well,” Underwood elaborated. “I like to think that I’m versatile, and hopefully when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on as far as what kind of music I’m thinkin’.”

Source: ABC News, Good Morning America