ENTERTAINMENTCarrie Underwood Is Going to 'Be Tough' as a Judge on 'American Idol': 'Don’t Let That Sweet Face Fool You'
Carrie Underwood is returning to 'American Idol' two decades after winning Season 4 of the series.
Carrie Underwood expects to be "Blown Away" by American Idol contestants once she takes on her new gig as a judge.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the superstar — who catapulted to fame after winning the singing competition in 2005 — will be working alongside judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and taking over the spot left behind by Katy Perry.
Carrie Underwood will be a judge on the next season of 'American Idol,' which is expected to premiere next year.
"She has so much to share with the new wannabes, having been a contestant herself," one insider told a magazine. "And don’t let that sweet face fool you. Carrie’s going to be tough."
Producer Megan Wolflick told another news outlet that everyone involved is over the moon to have the mother-of-two, 41, on board.
"Well, it is 20 years since she auditioned in St. Louis for American Idol, and to have the first ever Idol alum on the panel has always been something that’s been interesting to me," she gushed of why they chose Underwood. "She is our queen, she is our icon of American Idol."
The singer shared a photo from her audition on Instagram to celebrate the exciting news.
"We have been searching, you know, and obviously talking to Carrie for a little bit here. It has been a little over two months since the [season 22] finale, but these talks have been going on for a while and we've been really excited to make it all happen."
"It's a new era of the show and every new chapter of American Idol .... when we open up that first page, it is just as exciting as closing a chapter, and I cannot wait to embark on this journey with our first Idol alum with the panel," Wolflick continued.
Underwood rose to fame after winning Season 4 in 2005.
- Simon Cowell Gushes Over 'Sweet' Carrie Underwood Being a 'Good Choice' as New 'American Idol' Judge
- Carrie Underwood 'Swears' She and Husband Mike Fisher 'Can Handle the Long Distance' After Accepting 'American Idol' Gig: 'She Wishes People Would Stop Worrying'
- Carrie Underwood Says She's Going to Be 'Constructive and Encouraging' After Nabbing 'American Idol' Judge Gig: 'I Can't Lie'
Longtime host Ryan Seacrest is also looking forward to reuniting with the Season 4 winner and shared a few throwback photos of them together on Instagram.
"It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table," he wrote. "Welcome home, @carrieunderwood!"
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The new season of the ABC show is expected to kick off in the spring of next year.
Before the country crooner was announced as the new judge, stars such as Jelly Roll, Meghan Trainor, and Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks were rumored to be in the running for the position.
The superstar has released nine albums and won eight Grammy awards over the years.
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Life & Style reported on Underwood's plans to be "tough" on contestants.
