Who is replacing Katy Perry on ‘American Idol?’ Carrie Underwood regains her roots

American Idol returning to ABC tonight, but a well -known face will not be at the judges’ table. After seven seasons, Katy Perry announced that season 22 would be her last, making room for another Idol Playing to take his place: Carrie Underwood.

The grammy-winning county singer who first rose to fame as the winner of American Idol In 2005, Perry’s seat will take over when the new season premieres on Sunday, March 9. She sits with many years of judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who have been part of the ABC restart since 2018.

When recently asked about The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon starring the lead role What it is to have one and Idol In the panel, Richie said their new sidekick is a “Jukebox … She knows every song that the participants sing,” Joking, that Underwood can’t help participate in. “I go, ‘Carrie, they compete. It’s not you. You already won,” he said.

Here’s all you need to know about Perry’s decision to leave American Idolas well as Underwood’s journey from season 4 champion to judge.

ForbesWhat time is ‘American Idol’ tonight? How to see season 23By Monica Mercuri

Why did it Katy Perry Leave American Idol?

In February 2024 Katy Perry announced she was traveling American Idol After season 22 to focus on her pop career and release new music. During a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!She shared that she “loved the show so much” and that it had made her feel “associated with the heart of America,” but she had to “feel the pulse of my own beat.”

“I want to go and see the world and maybe bring new music,” Perry added. (She continued to publish her seventh studio album, 143In September 2024.) “It will be a very, very exciting year for all pop star stars,” she continued. “Let’s just say I’m making room for my new wing buckle.”

Who replaces Katy Perry On American Idol?

Underwood was officially advertised as Perry’s replacement on Good morning America In August 2024. “I remember I was at home in our little house in Cherkotah and watched TV that there were auditions in St. Louis,” said the 41-year-old singer in a video that revealed the big news. “My mother said, ‘If you want to go I’ll run you.'”

“I went from no one who knows my name to tens of thousands of millions of people watching the show,” she continued. “I’m proud of everything I was able to achieve on the show, and I’m so proud of everything I’ve achieved since.”

When did Carrie Underwood won American Idol?

Underwood won season 4 of American Idol In 2005 at 21 years old, with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, who serve as judges. To her audition she performed Bonnie Raitt’s “I can’t make you love me.”

In one YouTube video Shared a few days before season 23’s premiere, Oklahoma reflected nuisance over the audition that changed her life. “I have no idea how the 21-year-old Carrie was able to gather enough guts to go into a space and audition in front of Simon, Paul and Randy and the world,” she said.

Underwood introduced herself as a girl who “grew up on a farm” and who had not experienced many things like flying on a plane. When she started singing, Cowell interrupted her – for a moment she originally took as a bad sign.

“He immediately gave me a compliment and then said, ‘I am surprised that we have not found any good country singers,’ which surprised me. And then asked me to continue to be me. I feel he deserves a lot of credit, ”she said in the video.

She earned a golden ticket and went on to Hollywood, where the judges encouraged her to take risks. After her performance of Tiffany’s “could have been” in the top 24, Cowell declared her “one of the favorites to win this competition”, to solidify her status as a Frontrunner.

Underwood was so Popular during its season that the show’s former executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, told The New York Times In 2008, the singer “dominated the vote and won every week by a large margin.”

In the final of May 2005, Underwood faced Bo Bice in the last two. She performed Martina McBrides “Independence Day” before she was crowned for Season 4 winner. She then sang “Inside Your Heaven” as her victory song and celebrated her victory as confetti rained down around her.

Since I win American IdolUnderwood has released nine studio albums and earned eight Grammy Awards, making her one of country music’s biggest stars. With over 85 million items sold all over the world she is ready to end her Las Vegas stay, Reflection: Las Vegas -stayIn April 2025.

American Idol Season 23 premieres Sunday 9 March at. 20 ET/PT ON ABC. New episodes will be available the next day at Hulu.