Carrie Underwood to replace Katy Perry as new ‘American Idol’ judge
Carrie Underwood will return to “American Idol” as a judge. Getty Images
Carrie Underwood is coming home.
The “American Idol” Season 4 winner and country music superstar will replace Katy Perry as a judge on the ABC singing competition series next year, Page Six has learned.
We hear the network’s official Season 23 announcement will be made Thursday.
Reps for “Idol” had no comment, and Underwood’s publicist did not immediately respond to Page Six.
Underwood is replacing Katy Perry. Disney
The country singer won Season 4 of the show in 2005. Gregg DeGuire
Perry, 39, shocked fans in February when she revealed she was leaving the show.
“I love ‘Idol’ so much,” she said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” at the time. “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.”
The Grammy nominee has since announced that she will release a new album, titled “143,” in September.
Perry judged the show with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie for seven seasons. Disney
The trio made their debut on the panel in 2018 after “Idol” moved from Fox to ABC. Disney
Ryan Seacrest has been the host since 2002. ABC
Perry made her debut on the “American Idol” judging panel in 2018 alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie after the Ryan Seacrest-hosted show moved from Fox to ABC for its 16th season.
Page Six exclusively reported at the time that Perry had landed a $25 million salary, more than double Bryan’s and Richie’s paychecks, because she appealed to “a younger audience” and had a “huge social media following.”
The pay disparity did not cause issues among the judges, however, as they got along swimmingly on the air during their seven seasons together.
Perry announced in February that she was leaving the singing competition series. Disney
She is set to release a new album in September. Getty Images
Bryan, 48, even rushed to Perry’s defense after she received backlash from viewers last year for harshly judging multiple Season 21 contestants.
“Katy gets picked on for going out and trying to have fun making a TV show,” the “One Margarita” singer told Fox News in June 2023, adding that his colleague’s thick skin made him “appreciate her even more.”
For his part, Richie, 75, praised Perry as “humorous” and “knowledgeable” on “Kimmel” in February before voicing his support for her decision to “take some time and actually be an artist” after her “Idol” run.
TMZ was first to report the news of Underwood’s casting.
