American Idol judge Carrie Underwood is worried that she seems mean in her new role on the show after she took Katy Perry's seat at the judging table between Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. American Idol season 23 debut has the producers defending her from her detractors, as they praise her firsthand experience with the show as a winner.

Carrie itted that she was nervous that she was coming across as mean on American Idol.

Carrie ed Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour (shared via Audacy), and the American Idol winner and judge itted that she was worried that she was coming across as mean on the show. She said, "I was nervous coming in because it's a different ballgame, you know, and sitting on the other side of the table, more than anything, I want to help all of these people coming through, and help them become better performers and live their dreams."

Carrie continued by explaining that she has to navigate the fine line between being critical and crushing people's dreams. "So I want to be constructive and tell them things they can work on, but then you're like, am I coming across mean, or like how is it gonna turn out, that I'm really happy getting to watch the first little bits of it. There's so much talent. It's kind of insane how gifted some of these people are."

I was nervous coming in because it's a different ballgame, you know, and sitting on the other side of the table, more than anything, I want to help all of these people coming through, and help them become better performers and live their dreams. So I want to be constructive and tell them things they can work on, but then you're like, am I coming across mean, or like how is it gonna turn out, that I'm really happy getting to watch the first little bits of it. There's so much talent. It's kind of insane how gifted some of these people are.

What Carrie Being Worried About Her Critiques Means For American Idol

Carrie Might Hold Back Her True Feelings Out Of Fear

During American Idol, Carrie hasn't been afraid to give the contestants constructive criticism and even to tell them no when Lionel and Luke say yes to them going to Hollywood. However, Carrie wasn't always sure of herself, such as when she originally said no to contestant Mikaela Bautista but then was swayed by Mikaela's emotional performance with her dad after her original audition. With jazz singer Josh King, though, Carrie stuck to her guns and gave him a no when Lionel and Luke said yes, stating that she didn't know if there was a place for him on American Idol.

However, if Carrie is worried about coming across as mean as an American Idol judge, especially next to Lionel and Luke, who are known for being too nice, then she might tone down her critiques, which would mean that she wouldn't be authentic on the show. While Carrie was nowhere near the level of harshness of Simon Cowell, it was refreshing to see that, like Simon, and unlike Lionel and Luke, she wasn't completely dazzled by every contestant but, instead, gave them the honest critiques that they deserved.

Our Take On Carrie Underwood Being Worried She’s "Coming Across Mean"

Carrie Should Continue To Give Constructive Criticism

I really hope that Carrie can get over worrying about seeming mean because, as she said, it's very important for her to tell the American Idol hopefuls what they need to work on. The contestants are coming from a place where they're probably the best singers that their families and friends have ever heard, but that doesn't mean that they're right for American Idol. I firmly believe that contestants such as Mikaela and Josh need constructive criticism in order to improve, and that Carrie was right to tell them no. Plus, sweet Carrie could never come across as mean.

Carrie was so respectful when she rejected Mikaela, telling her that she had a lot of potential and complimenting her voice as lovely, but she ultimately said no because she wanted to hear more emotion and connection in her singing. I think this was the perfect critique because Carrie told Mikaela exactly what she should work on. The same was true of Carrie's critique of Josh when she said that she was trying to figure out where he'd fit in the space of the show. She said no, but she also told him that maybe he could prove her wrong.

These critiques reminded me of Simon's because they were realistic, but they were also infused with Carrie's signature kindness and gentleness. If some contestants can't connect emotionally or don't fit the mold of what American Idol is, then they shouldn't go to Hollywood, no matter how good their voices are. Carrie is reminding everyone that American Idol's original premise was a search for a superstar, which the show found in her.

As a former contestant, Carrie knows how it feels when the critiques are harsh, so she's certain to be mindful of that. I don't think that there's anything mean about her critiques. She should keep being true to herself as an American Idol judge.

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Source: Audacy