Carrie Underwood is joining the upcoming season 23 of American Idol as a judge, replacing Katy Perry. Underwood will appear each week with returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as longtime host Ryan Seacrest.

The news was formally announced Thursday, August 1 on Good Morning America and was accompanied by an emotional look back at Underwood’s history with Idol; the country superstar got her start in the music business when she became the show’s fourth-ever winner in 2005.

In the two decades since being crowned your “American Idol”, Underwood went on to sell 85 million records worldwide with 28 No. 1 chart-topping singles. Throughout her career, Carrie has racked up: eight Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, ten People’s Choice Awards and seven CMA Awards.

Photo: JPI

Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group said in a statement: “This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on Idol and launched her successful multi-Grammy Award-winning career, As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows of television. This is a full-circle moment both for the show and for audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home Carrie.”.

In a statement from ‘Idol’ showrunner Megan Wolflick expressed: “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. 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.”

Photo: ABC

Underwood added, ” I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show, and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished since.” Back in February of this year, Katy Perry announced on the Jimmy Kimmel Show that she was stepping away from her judging gig and that season 22 would be her last. Perry is currently promoting her new album 143, and plans to tour in support of it throughout 2025.

The upcoming 23 season of American Idol will debut in the spring of 2025, and auditions are slated to start this month.  Watch the video of the official announcement of Underwood as your new American Idol judge below.

Now let us know, do you like the pick of Carrie joining Lionel and Luke as the new trio of ‘Idol’ judges? Comment below.

American Idol has crowned its winner when platinum ticket holder, Abi Carter took herself all the way to the finals with her exquisite voice and performances.

The 21-year-old from Indio, California, won Americas vote to become the “American Idol” season 22 champion during Sunday night’s finale on ABC besting runner-up Will Moseley. Earlier in the finale, Jack Blocker came in third.

During the three-hour season finale, Carter got a surprise video from her idol, Billie Eilish, which reduced her to tears. That would be a first of many moments through the show that Abi was emotional, and so too, was departing judge, pop superstar, Katy Perry.

Courtesy/ABC

When Carter was crowned the winner, the camera panned to the judges table where Perry was in a puddle of tears overjoyed for Carter, and also knowing this was the end of her run after seven years with the show.

Earlier this season, Katy announced she would be stepping away from “Idol”.  A replacement has not yet been named. At the end of the finale, judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie shared an emotional hug with Perry, who also performed during the show with the aforementioned, Jack Blocker.

Previously, Perry during the audition process, voted not to send Blocker through and gave him a “no”. Blocker’s fortunes were changed when the ‘Idol’ production crew and Bryan wanted him to move on to Hollywood and the rest, as they say, was ‘Idol’ history.

Photo: ABC

The who’s who of the music industry was also on hand to perform with the top ten runner-ups in musical numbers leading into the final moments of the show. Guest performers included: Jon Bon Jovi, Jason Mraz, Wynonna Judd, Seal and New Kids on the Block.

In the moment of the night, Ryan Seacrest revealed Abi as the winner and she fell to the floor in tears. After previewing her new single in the final round of competition, “This Isn’t Over”, Carter attempted to gather herself to sing a reprieve of Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” It was that song that started Abi’s ‘Idol’ journey.

Photo: ABC

Watch the final moments of American Idol Season 22 below.

Now, let us know. Are you glad Abi Carter was crowned the new American Idol? Will you miss Katy Perry at the judges table? Who do you think would be a good replacement for her next season? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

On Sunday night, the semi-finals of this season’s American Idol were decided on Disney Night, where the contestants had to chose songs from Disney’s songbook which has become a tradition and of branding by ABC/Disney.

As usual, judge and music superstar, Katy Perry got decked out in a Disney get-up and this year dressed as Cinderella in full gown, no less.

The results of the nationwide vote sent two singers home, leaving three for next week’s 22nd overall season finale of ‘Idol’ and the 7th on ABC. It should be noted that we, and many at home, were surprised that some of the song’s chosen were even in Disney movies!

Photo: ABC

Eliminated were: 15-year-old Triston Harper who ended his run with a performance of  Rascal Flatt’s “Life is a Highway.” Also eliminated was Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of country legend, Loretta Lynn. After Russell’s performance of Brandi Carlile’s “Carried Me With You,” she did not have enough votes to move into the finale.

Moving on to the finals are: Jack Blocker, who wowed audiences during two-rounds of performances with “Nobody’s Fool” from Cars 2, and then David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

Will Moseley was also safe after his last performance of the night of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie thought it was the perfect sound for his voice, and apparently America thought so too.

Photo: ABC

Finally, Abi Carter, who ended her night with a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s, The Chain from the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 soundtrack, illustrated her stage presence growth as noted by the judges, when she went full fledged rocker/pop star for this one. Given Carter’s exceptional vocals, and her often more intimate style when accompanying herself on the piano, this performance also lifted her into the finals.

So, did the right singers make it to the finale? Who are you rooting for to be crowned the new American Idol next week? Comment below.