Summary

• Carrie Underwood will bring kindness and attentiveness to American Idol contestants as a new judge, making them feel comfortable and seen.
• Meeting fans with sincerity and genuine interest, Carrie's real and caring personality will shine through in her American Idol judging role.
• With a warm and friendly approach, Carrie's care for people makes her the perfect replacement for Katy Perry on American Idol season 23.

Following Katy Perry's exit from American Idol after seven seasons as a judge, season 4 winner and country music superstar Carrie Underwood will take her place, and my experience with meeting her confirms to me that she's perfect for the role. Before American Idol season 22 premiered, Katy announced that she'd be leaving the reality singing competition series, after spending seven seasons as a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. After much speculation about who'd fill her seat, American Idol announced on August 1, 2024, that Carrie would take on the role.

American Idol season 23 welcomes Carrie to the judging table twenty years after she won the competition in 2005. Since then, Carrie has become one of American Idol's greatest success stories, with 85 million records sold worldwide, 28 #1 singles, 8 Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People's Choice Awards, and 7 CMA Awards. Although Carrie's incredible success is obviously a reason that she's qualified for the job, after meeting her in person, I believe that she also has that special magic in her that will make her the perfect judge.

Carrie Underwood Will The Contestants With Kindness & Attentiveness

Carrie Made Every Fan Feel Special

I met Carrie on March 26, 2010, during a meet and greet at her concert in Trenton, New Jersey during her Play On tour. As I waited on line to meet her, I was so nervous because I'd been a huge fan of hers since her American Idol audition. However, as soon as Carrie walked into the room, I immediately felt calm because she was so down-to-Earth. A fan had brought her a stuffed pig because she'd recently appeared in a How I Met Your Mother episode that featured a teacup pig. Carrie explained that teacup pigs are really pot-bellied pigs, and they grow big and don't stay so cute and small. She was so attentive to this fan, and really made her feel special.

I know that, as an American Idol judge, Carrie will bring this same level of kindness to the contestants. She didn't just humor her fans or rush through meeting them, but she gave every one of them special attention, as well as warm and friendly hugs. I believe that, as a member of the judging , Carrie will make the American Idol contestants feel comfortable, safe, and seen. When I saw her hug her fans, I could tell that she was truly touched that people made the effort to come there to meet her.

Carrie Will Be Real & Genuine

Carrie Was So Sincere With Her Fans

As I waited on line to meet Carrie, I saw her move down to the floor to speak to a young child on her level, something that made a strong impression on me. She was so sincere as she listened to the child speak to her. Carrie also showed how genuine she was when she snuck the woman in front of me another autograph for her friend, even though we were only allowed one each. She was truly there for the fans.

When I finally had the chance to speak to Carrie, we made eye , and she was so welcoming. I told her that I was from Staten Island in New York City, and before she became popular, we never really heard country music on the radio. However, now, because of her, they play it all the time. She replied, "Really?" and then put her arm around me to take a photograph. Rather than end the conversation there, Carrie was genuinely interested to know more, and said, "I don't think they even have a country radio station in New York City." I confirmed to her that we didn't.

Again, Carrie could've ended our conversation and rushed to the next fan, but instead she said, "I've never been to Staten Island." I told her that she should come, and she said that she would. Then I thanked her and congratulated her on her recent engagement. Carrie gave me a big smile, and said, "Thank you."

It's easy to imagine that Carrie's interest in my hometown and life will be similar to her interactions with the American Idol contestants. It didn't feel as if she was at the meet and greet to do a job and get it over with, but rather that she really wanted to connect with her fans. Carrie is a real and genuine person, and this will make her a fantastic judge. She truly cares about people, and has a knack for making them feel special.

After meeting Carrie, I know that she's the ideal person to replace Katy on American Idol season 23. She's kind, sincere, and genuine. Carrie wanted to get to know her fans and hear their stories, and she went out of her way to make everyone feel so special. She also loves American Idol, and has built an extraordinary career after her experience with it. I'm thrilled that Carrie will be the next American Idol judge.

American Idol is available to stream on Hulu.

Source: American Idol/Instagram, Good Morning America/Instagram