Legendary singer Carrie Underwood is set to return to American Idol— this time as judge but not a contestant. It’s almost 10 years since the Season 4 winner won the competition, which according to her, was a life-changing victory.
Fans can’t stop talking about the full circle moment when the country queen joins Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the panel.
According to reports, Carrie Underwood will earn an impressive $12 million for her debut as a judge.
Katy Perry received a paycheck of $25 million prior to bowing out last year after a seven-season run.
ABC released an excerpt from Carrie’s journey—from her first-time audition to winning it all and now securing her place as a judge—in a viral promotional video.
Ryan Seacrest, the host who famously declared Carrie Underwood the winner of American Idol in Season 4, 2005, was also unable to contain his excitement at her comeback.
Carrie talked candidly in August of this year about how she anticipates managing the demands of serving as an American Idol judge.
Having worked in a variety of genres, she stated,
‘I like to think that I am 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 thinking. I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind, and I think that’s the whole point. People are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams, and you’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.’
After Perry, who joined American Idol in 2017, left, Carrie takes over as a judge.
According to an insider, Carrie has been a member of the Idol family since its inception and has a stake in the franchise’s survival.
“Carrie’s humility is another one of her strengths, and Carrie did not need to be offered a Katy-sized salary to come back into the franchise,” the source added, praising Carrie’s grounded demeanor.
