It's less than a month away until Carrie Underwood kicks off her inaugural season as a judge on American Idol. The 41-year-old reflected on her upcoming new role, which comes 20 years after she was crowned the Season 4 winner in 2005.
"'Then' as a contestant vs. 'Now' as a judge 20 years later!" Underwood writes. "Counting down the days as we're one month away from the March 9 season premiere of American Idol on ABC and stream on Hulu!"
Underwood will join Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan on American Idol. But as the only Idol alum, Underwood's perspective is far different from her fellow judges.
"I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind," Underwood says on SiriusXM's Music Row Happy Hour. "I think that's the whole point 'cause people are coming in, and you know ... it's dreams. You're a part of somebody's story from that moment on. I think it's important to be honest, but I think it's also very important to be kind. Hopefully, I can marry all of those together."
Underwood is replacing Katy Perry, who left the show at the end of last season, after serving as a judge for six seasons. According to Perry, there isn't anyone better to fill her shoes.
"She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it," Perry tells People. "She actually truly knows... What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges."
"As artists, we've been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day," she adds. "So I think she's going to have a lot to offer anyone that's willing to listen."
Perry announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live last February that she was exiting the show, although it took several months to announce Underwood as her replacement.
"I love Idol so much," Perry said at the time. "It's connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat ... I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music."
Season 23 of American Idol will premiere on ABC on Sunday, March 9, at 8:00 PM ET.
