Tom Donoghue/NBC Sports

Carrie Underwood is coming home to “American Idol.” ABC was set to announce on Thursday that Underwood will serve as a judge on the show next season, replacing Katy Perry — who announced her exit earlier this year. Underwood has returned to “American Idol” several times as a mentor, and also performed on the show’s season finale in 2022.

She’s also no stranger to ABC viewers, having emceed the CMA Awards on the Alphabet network between 2008 and 2019.

Underwood broke out in 2005 as the winner of “American Idol” Season 4, back when the show aired on Fox. She’ll take the chair next to Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan as the newest judge when the show returns next year for Season 23.

“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 on television,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”

Megan Wolflick, showrunner and executive producer of “American Idol,” noted that 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,” she said. “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.”

Underwood is considered one of the most successful artists of all time, selling more than 85 million records globally and wining countless awards including eight Grammys.
Underwood is currently holding a residency as the headliner at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, and just added six additional shows in 2025. Here production “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” includes six upcoming dates in August, six in October, and then three in March 2025 and three in April 2025.

Perry revealed last winter that she would be stepping down as “Idol” judge. She spent seven seasons on the show, ever since it moved to ABC in 2018.

“I love ‘Idol’ so much, it’s connected me with the heart of America,” she said while revealing the news on an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” “But I feel like I need to go out to feel that pulse of my own beat.”

Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie continue this year, as the trio matched the seven-season stint of original “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

“I love the show so much but I want to see the world,” Perry said on “Kimmel.” “Maybe I’ll come back if they have me one day.”

“American Idol” will enter its eighth season on ABC, having been renewed last spring. Ryan Seacrest continues to host the show from Fremantle and Sony Pictures TV’s 19 Entertainment. Megan Michaels Wolflick is showrunner and exec produces with Fremantle’s Jennifer Mullin, as well as Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman for 19 Entertainment.

The new season auditions take place starting Aug. 12; here’s the schedule:

“Idol Across America” auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):

Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug 12)

Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug 14)

Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug 16)

Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Aug 19)

Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Aug 21)

Nationwide open call (Aug 23)

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Aug 26)

Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug 28)

Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug 29)

West and Midwest open call (Sep 4)

Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee (Sep 6)

Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C. (Sep 9)

Nationwide open call (Sep 11)

The South open call (Sep 13)

East Coast open call (Sep 17)