When I first heard the news that one of my favorite singers, Carrie Underwood, would be taking Katy Perry's place on the American Idol season 23 judging , I was so happy because I imagined her staying on the show for multiple seasons, but now I've changed my mind because she's too big of a star to stay with the reality singing competition series for long. Carrie was the perfect person to take Katy's place alongside her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. This is because she has a special connection to the show because she won American Idol season 4 almost twenty years ago in 2005.

Through the years, Carrie has continued to appear on American Idol, performing on various episodes and even serving as a guest mentor during season 20, when the show dedicated a theme night to her. Since her victory, she's gone on to become one of the most successful winners in the show's history, and she's become a global superstar and a country music legend. Although she loves the show, I think that Carrie's superstardom will prevent her from being a judge for multiple seasons after American Idol season 23.

Carrie Underwood Is Too Big Of A Star To Stay With American Idol For Multiple Seasons

Carrie's Career Is Still Thriving

Since she won American Idol season 4, Carrie has sold 85 million records worldwide and released 28 number one hits. Carrie has won eight Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Awards, 16 ACM Awards, nine CMA Awards, 25 CMT Music Awards, and ten People's Choice Awards, among many others. Carrie has had seven headlining tours, and a Las Vegas Residency, Reflection, which will continue into 2025.

Carrie has released nine studio albums, with no signs of stopping. However, she's also a wife and a mom to two sons, Isaiah, 8, and Jacob, 5. It's likely that she took her American Idol season 23 judging position to have a bit of stability in her life after a twenty-year whirlwind of recording music and touring. Although this might be true, I find it very hard to imagine that Carrie is anywhere near done with her music career.

If Carrie decides that she wants to record another album and go on another tour, it will be much harder for her to be an American Idol judge. In fact, it might be impossible. This was the exact reason that Katy left the show. Katy wanted to focus more on her own music career, and juggling the show and her own endeavors simply wasn't possible. I think that Carrie will eventually want to record another album and get back out on the road, so her time with American Idol might be limited.

Katy Perry Might Want To Return To American Idol

Katy Hinted That She Might Want To Come Back To The Reality Singing Competition Series In The Future

Katy served as an American Idol judge for seven seasons alongside Lionel and Luke. They were the original judging when ABC revived the show in 2018 after FOX canceled it in 2016. Katy's exit was the first time in the ABC era of the show that there was a shakeup with the judging . I was shocked when Katy made the announcement that she was leaving the show because I loved her as a judge.

During her time on American Idol, Katy was known for her outrageous antics, but also her kindness and for the contestants. She was their biggest cheerleader, but she could also be a gentle critic when necessary, helping them to spread their wings and fly. I was disappointed when I heard that she was leaving because she's another one of my favorite singers, but I understood her desire to focus on her own music career again. American Idol helping other people jumpstart their music careers, and it was time for her to return to the stage herself.

However, I was ecstatic when, after the American Idol season 22 finale, Katy hinted that she might return to the show. In an interview with ET, Katy said, "Keep that seat hot. I mean, who knows. I loved everything I got to experience and learn." To me, Katy's comment means that Carrie is only keeping her seat warm while she promotes her new album, 143, and embarks on The Lifetimes Tour in 2025, with dates around the world. It was obvious to me that she genuinely loved her time on American Idol just as much as her fans loved watching her on it.

Keep that seat hot. I mean, who knows. I loved everything I got to experience and learn.

Another sign that Katy might return to American Idol is that 143 wasn't as successful as she'd hoped it would be. With many negative reviews and lower-than-expected record sales, the album didn't meet its high expectations. I was surprised that Katy's album performed poorly because she was so beloved on American Idol. However, this could open the door for her to return to the show, especially because she's had a lot of success there.

During the FOX era of American Idol, judges came and went frequently. The show began with the legendary trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, but then included Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. at various points in its 15-year run on the network. In fact, Jennifer came and went as a judge, appearing on American Idol seasons 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15, but skipping season 12 due to other work commitments.

Now that the ABC version of American Idol has experienced its first judging shakeup, I believe that it's possible that there will be a revolving door of judges from season 23 on. Carrie might leave, Katy could return, or someone completely new could the judging . It'll be very exciting to see what happens next with the judges on American Idol. I think that Carrie will be an excellent judge, but other commitments will eventually become her priority.

American Idol has had four judges in the past, so it's possible that Carrie could stay on the even if Katy wants to return to the show. However, because Carrie is still such a popular artist, it's more likely that her time as an American Idol judge will be short, and it'll be just a temporary job for her. Although she's already a legend, Carrie still has a long country music career ahead of her. I can't wait to see Carrie as an American Idol judge, but I really think that it'll be a short-lived role for her because she'll continue to shine in other ways as one of our brightest stars.

American Idol season 23 premieres on Sunday, March 9, 2025, on ABC.

Source: ET