Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood talk about being judges on American Idol, what it was like when Carrie joined the show and how they feel about contestants performing their songs.

American Idol fans got their first real glimpse of Carrie Underwood as Katy Perry’s replacement during the American Idol audition special that aired on the 2025 TV schedule after the Academy Award winners were announced Sunday night,

The country star is experiencing a full-circle moment, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judging panel for the 23rd season of the show: “Carrie being here has felt so right.”