Carrie Underwood has seen a lot in the 20 years since she was crowned the Season 4 winner of American Idol. Underwood has toured the world, and sung with some of music's biggest stars, of all genres. Still, even she admits the level of talent on this season of American Idol is surprising, as she serves as a judge for her inaugural season.
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"I was nervous coming in because it's a different ballgame," Underwood says on Audacy's Superstar Power Hour. "Sitting on the other side of the table, more than anything, I want to help all of these people coming through, and help them become better performers and live their dreams. So I want to be constructive and tell them things they can work on. But then you're like, 'Am I coming across mean?'. Or, 'How is it gonna turn out?' I'm really happy getting to watch the first little bits of it."
"There's so much talent," the 42-year-old adds. "It's kind of insane how gifted some of these people are."
Carrie Underwood's Journey To Becoming A Judge on 'American Idol'
Underwood joins Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie in serving as a judge on this year's season of American Idol. Underwood is taking the place of Katy Perry, who exited the show after seven seasons. Although Perry didn't have a say in who replaced her, the pop star is thrilled with Underwood taking her former role.
"She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it," Perry gushes to People. "She actually truly knows... What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges."
Perry isn't the only one who is a fan of Underwood joining Idol. Both Bryan and Richie are also thrilled that the Grand Ole Opry member is joining them on the hit TV show.
"It's going great," Bryan tells Extra. "Carrie and I had always been in the business together, but we never spent much time together. So to sit behind the desk and watch her really learn how to transition out of, like, being the winner of 'American Idol' and a superstar to being the judge at the table. ... She's doing good."
