Back in June 2002, fans watched as American Idol aired its first episode. Featuring Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, viewers were introduced to a pool of aspiring singers looking to make a career in the music industry. With each passing week, Cowell shared his blunt take to those not able to win him over. At the time, the show often welcomed contestants who struggled when it came to auditioning. Seeing it as entertainment, American Idol went through some changes over the years when it came to criticism. And with Carrie Underwood returning to the show as a judge, she and Lionel Richie discussed how American Idol evolved.
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In 2005, Underwood found herself standing in front of the judges on American Idol. Nervous about the production and cameras, the singer proved herself to be a top competitor and eventually won. Adding her name to the list of winners that included Kelly Clarkson, Underwood went on to have a stellar career in music. Now, twenty years later, she returned to help judge season 23.
Opening up about her time on American Idol in the early 2000s, Underwood remembered what it was like. “It was a different time in the show—in the world in general—and there was a decent chance you might get super-duper humiliated in front of tens of millions of people. It’s changed a lot, and hopefully people can leave with some information that will make them better—no matter how long they are on the show.”
Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, And Luke Bryan Want To Inspire Contestants
Not wanting to humiliate contestants for nothing more than a few laughs, Richie, Underwood, and Luke Bryan hoped to bring a little love and support to the show. Richie said, “Before, it was a great TV show where you go, ‘Boy, you suck. Go home,’ you know? ‘What the hell?’ Now, it’s, ‘Okay, the kid is, first of all, traumatized from being here. A nervous wreck. How do we calm them down to build them up so they can get the best out of themselves?’”
Focusing on more than just ratings, the judges wanted to inspire instead of condemn. And for Richie, he hoped they came back. “If they go through, fantastic, but if they don’t go through, we want to build them up enough to where they can go out and go, ‘Okay, I gave it my best try, and Lionel and Luke and Carrie said I need to try harder.’ And they’ll be back.”
Don’t miss the new episode of American Idol, airing on March 9th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
(Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)
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