Ahead of the American Idol season 23 premiere, long-time host Ryan Seacrest wants to see new judge Carrie Underwood flourish, despite signs that she's already failing, so he's taken her under his wing. After Katy Perry's departure from the singing competition series, Carrie will take her place at the judging table alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Katy was a judge on the show with Lionel and Luke for seven seasons before she left to focus on her own music career again. Carrie won American Idol season 4 in 2005, and now she's returning home to the show in a different role.

Carrie is one of the most successful American Idol champions. Since her win, she's become a country music legend and a global superstar. The Grammy Award winner has sold 85 million records worldwide and released 28 number one hits, among her many other phenomenal accomplishments. Carrie has always been a beloved American Idol alum, but now she's receiving backlash from some viewers. As Carrie moves forward with American Idol season 23, Ryan wants her to succeed as a judge, so he's working hard to make her feel at home.

Carrie Underwood Has Faced Backlash Before The American Idol Premiere

Fans Have Vowed To Boycott American Idol Because Carrie Performed At Donald Trump's Inauguration

When Carrie performed "America the Beautiful" at President Donald Trump's inauguration, some American Idol fans vowed to boycott the show until she's no longer a judge. In an NOT watching this season because of Carrie Underwood!," while another wrote, "We’re cancelling Carrie." Another fan stated, "Was hoping to watch this season but now it’s a hard no!," while yet another said, "Love you @ryanseacrest but we can’t @carrieunderwood anymore. Big no."

However, in a statement to People, Carrie explained why she sang at the inauguration. Carrie said, "I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."

Time will tell if American Idol fans really stop watching because of Carrie, but the fact that there's already backlash before the season even begins is a sign that she might be failing as a judge. Fans have been very vocal in their criticism of her, which is unusual because Carrie hasn't been a controversial celebrity. Because of this, Ryan might be even more protective of her because they've been friends for twenty years, and he wants to see her succeed.

Ryan and Carrie met two decades ago when she auditioned for American Idol season 4. Since then, she's returned to the show multiple times, including when she served as a mentor for the season 20 contestants in an episode dedicated to her and her music. Ryan and Carrie most recently worked together in December 2024 when he hosted, and she performed, during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Whenever Ryan and Carrie appear together in any project, their friendship is very evident.

Ryan Seacrest Wants Carrie To Succeed On American Idol

Ryan Is Protecting Carrie From Her Critics

A source says that Ryan is working extra hard behind the scenes at American Idol to protect Carrie from her critics. According to Life & Style, a source has reported that Ryan has taken Carrie under his wing, and has told Lionel and Luke to do the same for her. He wants her to make her feel welcome, not only because they're close friends, but because he'd like to see her do more than one American Idol season. According to The US Sun, Carrie has only signed a one-year contract with the show, and isn't obligated to return for another.

The Life & Style source revealed that Ryan thinks that it's fantastic that the show has one of its most successful winners as a judge, and that she'll serve as an inspiration for all of the contestants. He also loves Carrie's warm personality, and he thinks that she's extremely talented. The insider also shared that Ryan hopes to keep Carrie away from the kind of backlash that Katy experienced while she was a judge on the show because her wasn't always well-received by American Idol viewers. The source claimed that what the judges do affects Ryan, so, because of that, he wants to make sure that Carrie is well-received by the fans.

Although Carrie has faced some backlash because of her choice to perform at the inauguration, it's unclear how it will affect American Idol's ratings. For every fan who vowed to quit watching because of her, there's another who says that they'll watch because she's returning. No matter what happens, it's sweet that Carrie has her friend Ryan rooting for her along the way. It's going to be very exciting to see how American Idol season 23 plays out with Carrie as a judge, and, hopefully, she'll be a huge success.

American Idol season 23 premieres on Sunday, March 9 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Source: American Idol/Instagram, People, Life & Style, The US Sun