Season 23 of American Idol was a whirlwind, not just for the contestants but also for the production. With Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry judging the show over the years, Perry decided to step away to focus on her music career. In that time, she not only released a new album but also traveled to space. But what about Carrie Underwood? Returning to the show as a judge, the singer brought a mountain of knowledge and received a great deal of praise from fans. And with American Idol renewed for another season, will Underwood return for a second season?
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On May 9th, American Idol shared the exciting news that the show would be coming back for season 24 in 2026. Although fans will have to wait a year before a new season, many were excited to see the show renewed. “This was an epic season, felt good, great talent, full of love and a side of worship!! Good vibes all around.”
With the production looking ahead to a new season, what about Underwood? After announcing a new season, fans wondered if the former winner would take her seat at the judge’s table once again. While no official word was released about the judges, the ratings tell an entirely different story. When season 23 premiered, nearly 6,000,000 people tuned in. Jump forward to recent episodes, May 11th climbed over 5,200,000 viewers. And the next day, on May 12th, the viewership hit 4,400,000.
Do Fans Want Carrie Underwood To Return To ‘American Idol’
While ratings are a great indicator of which direction the producers might take, what about the fans? At the end of the day, the fans are the ones who help American Idol get renewed season after season. Well, according to fans of American Idol, they want more Underwood.
After sharing the news of a new season, fans quickly jumped on social media to express their thoughts and even give some suggestions. Comments included:
“AY! Please make sure Carrie is a judge next season! She is super fun!! Love her so much!!”
“I think this has been my favorite season! The contestants are all so genuine and immensely talented! Carrie has brought a more wholesome aspect to the show as well.”
“I admit, I was doubtful when @carrieunderwood was added because now you had two country judges, but she’s been a breath of fresh air. Honest and supportive, humble and talented. Plus,she brought us “faith night”. Good choice, and I hope all 3 come back.”
“YES! I pray that @CarrieUnderwood returns as a judge. She was a great addition to the judges panel this season.”
Not only gaining the rating but also the approval of fans, it appeared the only thing standing in the way of Underwood returning was if she wanted to. For now, don’t miss the season finale of American Idol, airing tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
(Photo by Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images)
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