CARRIE Underwood has been named the new American Idol judge following Katy Perry’s departure.
The Season 4 winner will join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie at the Season 8 judges’ table on ABC.
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The announcement was made on Good Morning America and American Idol’s Instagram page on Thursday.
“I went from no one knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching,” Carrie said in one clip.
“I was proud of everything I accomplished in the program and I’m proud of everything I accomplished.”
As she spoke, old videos of her on her Oklahoma farm and from Idol played on the screen, including Ryan Seacrest announcing her as the winner.
READ MORE ABOUT CARRIE UNDERWOOD
“From #AmericanIdol hopeful to global icon… to IDOL judge! Local superstar @carrieunderwood will be joining us for Season 8! publish.
The singer will talk more about her taking over for Katy on Friday when she performs on GMA.
The video ended with “Welcome, American Idol’s newest judge.”
Carrie, 41, is the first Idol alum to be a judge.
Ryan will also return as host.
Auditions for season 23 will begin on August 8 and the new season will air in spring 2025.
Carrie beat Bo Bice in season 4 and became one of the show’s most successful contestants.
She has sold more than 85 million records and had 28 number one songs.
On Wednesday, TMZ reported that she and her team were close to finalizing a deal with ABC.
‘GOOD NEWS’
Idol fans were excited for Carrie to join the panel.
Who are the previous American Idol winners?
Past American Idol winners include:
Kelly Clarkson (2002)
Ruben Studdard (2003)
Fantasia Barrino (2004)
Carrie Underwood (2005)
Taylor Hicks (2006)
Jordin Sparks (2007)
David Cook (2008)
Kris Allen (2009)
Lee DeWyze (2010)
Scotty McCreery (2011)
Phillip Phillips (2012)
Candice Glover (2013)
Caleb Johnson (2014)
Nick Fradiani (2015)
Trent Harmon (2016)
Maddie Poppe (2018)
Laine Hardy (2019)
Just Sam (2020)
Chayce Beckham (2021)
Noah Thompson (2022)
I Am Tongi (2023)
“This is great news,” wrote one X user.
“I’m excited to see this. The best season is yet to come,” said one Instagram user.
“The best option for the next judge,” added another.
“Iconic casting choice,” said one fan.
“Best choice ever!! Carrie is my favorite singer and I can’t wait to see her on Idol again,” one Instagram user wrote.
“YAY! I’m excited to watch it,” said another.
“I will be the perfect judge,” said one last fan.
KATY SAYS GOODBYE
In February, Katy, 39, told Jimmy Kimmel that she was leaving American Idol after seven seasons.
Katy joined Idol with Luke, 48, and Lionel, 75, when the singing show was revamped at ABC after 15 seasons on Fox.
The three have been judges since the show restarted.
When Katy appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! In February, to promote season 22, she dropped a bombshell.
“This fall, in September, I’m doing a big music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio,” Katy told Jimmy, 56.
“So I think this will probably be my last season on Idol.”
She went on to say that she loves Idol so much because it connected her to the heart of America.
“But I need to feel my own beat again,” said the singer.
Katy will release her sixth album, 143, on September 20th and wants to tour the world to promote it.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
