Carrie
Credit: (Screenshot), Idols Global, via YouTube

Earlier this year, the country music star Carrie Underwood replaced Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol for the show’s 23rd season. This came twenty years after Underwood launched her career when she won season four of American Idol.

Unfortunately, new reports are coming in indicating that Underwood may regret ever signing on to judge American Idol. In fact, these reports allege that Underwood is considering not returning for another season of the show.

Underwood Unsure Of Her American Idol Future

Underwood, 42, made her debut as a judge on American Idol when season 23 premiered on March 2, 2023. She joined Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan on the esteemed judging panel.

At first, it seemed that as a former winner, Underwood was the perfect choice to be an American Idol judge. Sadly, however, it didn’t take long for fans to turn on her. Indeed, over the past few months, fans have slammed Underwood for being “boring.” They’ve also taken issue with her for allegedly not giving contestants enough constructive criticism.

This has left Underwood feeling unsure if she wants to return for American Idol season 24 next year.

“She’s not sure she wants to do another season,” one insider told Star Magazine. “She’s let bosses know she’s not 100 percent sure.”

The insider went on to claim that Underwood was paid less than half of Perry’s staggering $25 million salary. According to the source, this has not sat well with Underwood.

“There’s talk Carrie wants more money,” the insider stated. “It’s been a bumpy ride and she’s not sure it’s worth the pain without a nice incentive.”

Related: Carrie Underwood Takes Dig At Former ‘American Idol’ Judge Katy Perry After Her Blue Origin Space Flight

Underwood Wasn’t ABC’s First Choice To Replace Perry

Then there’s the fact that last month, we reported that Underwood was humiliated to learn that she was not ABC’s first choice to replace Perry on American Idol. In early May, a production insider confirmed to The Sun that Underwood was “not the network’s first pick to be a judge this season.”

“They spoke with a handful of other A-list artists in pop and country before landing on Carrie,” the source continued. “It was not a unanimous decision.”

In fact, the production insider went on to say that Underwood could be “one and done” with being a judge, as ABC executives aren’t sure if they’ll be bringing her back for another season. The source said that while it’s “too early” to know if changes will be made to the American Idol judging panel, the decision will be made “soon.”

“They’ll have more of an idea in the next month or so. Nothing is off the table,” the source said. “At the beginning of filming, everyone thought [Carrie] would be back next year. Now, it’s much more up in the air.”

Related: Carrie Underwood Humiliated As It’s Revealed She Wasn’t First Choice To Replace Katy Perry On ‘American Idol’

Underwood’s ‘Uncertain’ American Idol Future

“Her Idol future is much more uncertain now than it was and I think that feeling is mutual,” the insider added. “She seems miserable being away from her family and in LA this much. I don’t think she wants to have to answer to TV networks and play the ‘Hollywood’ game, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she’s one and done. But again, no decisions have been made yet from either side.” 

Needless to say, this report likely didn’t inspire Underwood to enthusiastically sign on for another American Idol season.

Check out Underwood in happier times when she auditioned for American Idol in the video below.

The latest season of American Idol came to an end on May 18. Underwood herself has yet to address whether or not she’ll be returning next season. Only time will tell if Underwood will end up returning as a judge on American Idol in 2026!

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