There was always going to be a little bit of growing pains for Carrie Underwood coming onto American Idol. Sure, she's more than familiar with the format as a performer and winner of the show. However, it's much different when the shoe is on the other foot. It was just a matter of figuring out where Underwood lacked as a judge. According to Lionel Richie, she's being far too nice with contestants during auditions.
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Recently, the trio of American Idol judges with Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood appeared on LIVE with Kelly and Mark. There, they promote the upcoming season, and most notably, Carrie's big debut on the show. For her first time, how did it turn out? Apparently, the chemistry isn't going to be much of an issue. However, Lionel tells us that Underwood has to learn how to tell people 'no.'
Carrie Underwood Struggles to Deny American Idol Contestants During The Audition Process
Richie jokes that Underwood's heart of gold puts her in awkward, nerve-wracking situations with contestants. However, after a bit of prodding, she would finally relent. "I have to tell you, Carrie's biggest nightmare was, as long as you can say, 'Oh my God, you go through! Oh my God, you go through! Fantastic! Oh, you go through!' We were waiting, because she's gotta tell someone 'No.' and she almost had a nervous breakdown," Lionel remarks of Carrie.
I'm telling you, she said, 'Oh, he's so cute.' I said, 'Carrie, do what you have to do.' 'She's so nice...' And then finally she said, 'I'm gonna have to tell you.... no. Not right now. Not now,'" Richie continues.
It won't take long for the country crooner to find her groove and develop some callousness with the contestants. Her experience on the show puts Carrie in prime position to succeed because she knows what it takes to win. Former judge Katy Perry agrees. "She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it," she tells PEOPLE. "She actually truly knows... What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges."
