Carrie Underwood Says Returning to ‘American Idol’ As Judge ‘Feels Like Home’

It turns out you can go home again. One day after it was revealed that Carrie Underwood would be returning to American Idol as the replacement for departed judge Katy Perry, the country singer told Good Morning America that going back to the show that lifted her to global stardom 20 years ago “feels like home.”

Dressed in jean short-shorts and matching knee-high, steel-toed cowboy boots and a sequined jacket, Underwood said that feeling is especially apt since there are a lot of people who still work on the show who were there when she won season four of Idol in 2005. “I feel like being on both sides of the coin I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help,” she said of the unique set of skills she can bring to her new gig alongside fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

Asked what kind of judge she thinks she’ll be — tough, like original Idol heel Simon Cowell, or soft like Richie — Underwood said she has one major flaw when it comes to judging. “I do have a big problem,” she admitted. “Hopefully it’s not a problem. I can’t lie. I just can’t. You can tell. I feel like I’ll be very honest, but hopefully, you know, I can be very constructive and encouraging.”

As for whether she’ll get harsh on singers who just don’t have it, Underwood showed off some of her Oklahoma charm, saying, “Oh gosh no. Just ask my kids.” Underwood also took the stage for the GMA Summer Concert Series, rocking the stage on a sweaty New York morning with her classic 2007 hit “Last Name.”

“Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol alum ever to join the judging panel. Her global superstar status as the most successful Idol winner to date makes her a perfect fit for the show,” said Megan Wolflick, Idol showrunner and executive producer in a statement. “She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story. 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.”

During her chat Underwood also came out to surprise a superfan named Katie Klein, who couldn’t control her excitement when the singer invited Katie and a friend to come out to Resorts World in Las Vegas to catch the country star’s Reflection residency, which was just extended into spring 2025. The Grammy-winning singer just announced an upcoming collaboration with Papa Roach on a new version of the band’s “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)” to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Season eight of Idol on ABC is slated to launch in spring 2025.

Watch Underwood talk Idol and perform on GMA below.