The country music star Carrie Underwood is preparing to serve as a judge on American Idol for the very first time when the singing competition returns for its 23rd season next month. This comes 20 years after Underwood won the contest herself, on season 4 of American Idol way back in 2005.
On Thursday, a new trailer for American Idol season 23 dropped. In it, Underwood was moved to tears by one contestant’s powerful story. Indeed, the clip shows just how meaningful this American Idol gig really is for Underwood.
Underwood Becomes Emotional
At one point in the trailer, a young male contestant can be heard telling Underwood, 41, and her fellow judges Luke Bryan, 48, and Lionel Richie, 75, that his grandmother “raised me from the moment I turned two.”
Underwood burst into tears as they brought the contestant’s grandmother out to hug him.
“She put everything she had in me all those years,” the contestant said as Underwood wiped away her tears.
Bryan asked if she was okay. An emotional Underwood responded by saying “I’m not” as her fellow judges hugged her.
“You need to be heard,” Richie told the young man before all three judges sent him through to Hollywood.
Check out the full trailer for yourself in the video below.
Related: First Look At The New ‘American Idol’ As Carrie Underwood Replaces Katy Perry
Underwood Replaces Katy Perry
It was announced in August of last year that Underwood would be replacing Perry as a judge on American Idol. Perry left after the 22nd season to focus on reviving her own music career.
“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on IDOL and launched her successful multi-GRAMMY Award-winning career,” Craig Erwich, Disney Television Group President, said when announcing Underwood would be joining American Idol.
“As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television,” he continued. “This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”
Underwood could not be more excited to become a judge on American Idol. Unlike many stars, she’s never forgotten where she came from. Indeed, she credits American Idol for much of the success that she enjoys today.
“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” Underwood told Good Morning America of her time on American Idol. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished since.”
Watch Underwood talk more about this in the video below.
Underwood’s Judging Style
Underwood was later asked what her judging style will be like.
“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” Underwood replied. “And I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”
Definitely a different approach than some have taken!
In the end, Underwood is hoping that she can serve as an inspiration to the next generation of American Idol hopefuls.
“I like to think that I am versatile,” she concluded. “And, hopefully, when I listen to people come and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on in terms of what music I’m thinking.”
The 23rd season of American Idol is set to premiere on ABC on March 9. Be sure to tune in to see Underwood’s full-circle moment, from American Idol winner to judge!
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