Carrie Underwood Returns to Orpheum Theater for ‘American Idol’: “It’s Impossible Not To Be a Bit Nostalgic”

After winning season four of American Idol back in 2005, Carrie Underwood went on to produce a successful career in the music industry. Releasing hits like “Before He Cheats” and “Cowboy Casanova”, Underwood sold over 85 million albums and even won eight Grammy Awards. While releasing her latest album, Denim & Rhinestones, back in 2022, Underwood brought her career back to the beginning when she became the newest judge on American Idol. Marking her return to the show, the singer discussed what it was like to go back to the Orpheum Theatre as a judge. 

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While season 23 of American Idol hasn’t aired yet, the production took over the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles to film Hollywood Week. Ushering in a new round of aspiring artists, Underwood found herself sitting beside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Although excited about working with the hitmakers, Underwood couldn’t get past having her own Hollywood Week in the same theater. 

Recalling how it felt in 2005, Underwood explained, “In my memory, it was so much bigger. At 21 years old, I’d never been on a plane, never seen anything quite like it. It seemed so grand and massive, and there were so many other contestants. Now I’m sitting at that judges’ table watching them. I’ll see somebody sing and think, ‘Oooh, this is the Bo Bice of this year.’ It’s impossible not to be a bit nostalgic.” 

[RELATED: Ryan Seacrest Taking Carrie Underwood “Under His Wing,” Plotting for Multi-Season Run on ‘American Idol’]

Carrie Underwood Not The Only One Excited For Her Return To ‘American Idol’

Underwood wasn’t the only person feeling nostalgic as Ryan Seacrest recalled the stardom that followed the singer. Having the opportunity to announce her as the winner, the host said, “An incredible number of votes came in for her, and I remember the electricity that we felt in that moment. There are things I still see in her that remind me of the first time I met her.”

Holding a spot on American Idol since the first season, Seacrest believed bringing Underwood back was a statement. “To bring back one of our own, who is on the same level as the other judges, makes a statement that this show creates superstars.”

Don’t miss the return of Underwood and the premiere of American Idol season 23 on March 9, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and available to stream the following day on Hulu.

(Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Penske Media via Getty Images)