It's Official: Carrie Underwood Is Replacing Katy Perry as Judge on 'American Idol'

American Idol is known for showcasing new talent every season, but now the show is in for a different kind of switch-up.

Fans of the ABC series grew accustomed to seeing Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie mentor contestants as they move forward in the competition. Since the trio have worked so well together for the last seven seasons, it came as quite a surprise when Katy revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! her plans to exit American Idol at the end of the 2024 season, reportedly to work on new music. The announcement also came as news to her fellow judges, who learned of the singer's decision at the same time as viewers.

When Lionel made his own appearance on the late night talk show, host Jimmy Kimmel asked whether he knew who Katy's replacement would be. While Lionel didn't drop any hints, what he did share still left viewers intrigued. "You know, they are keeping tight-lipped because I don’t even know, but I’m telling you … It’s gonna be really interesting," he said. "Whoever's coming on the show has got to be, well, to come past Katy, you've gotta be humorous forever, and, on top of that, knowledgeable."

Naturally, this leaves us to wonder who might replace Katy as the next judge on American Idol. While some hopefuls initially put in their bid for the job, and one major star set the record straight on whether she'd consider taking the spot, the news we've all been waiting for has finally been announced.

Who will replace Katy Perry as an American Idol judge?

It's official, folks — Carrie Underwood is your newest American Idol judge!

The country superstar won American Idol in season 4 back in 2005, and she's coming back home to the show in a major way. In a video posted on YouTube on August 1, viewers learned she will join Luke and Lionel at the judges' table starting in the spring of 2025.

"I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of people watching the show," she said in the clip. "I'm proud of everything I was able to accomplish on the show, and I'm so proud of everything that I've accomplished since."

What's more, Carrie already teased how she'll be as a judge when appearing on Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series on August 2.

"I have a problem," she shared in a clip posted on X (formerly Twitter). "I can’t lie. I feel like I’ll be very honest but hopefully I’ll also be very constructive and encouraging... I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I'll be able to offer insight and help and kind of a different viewpoint."

Well, this is such exciting news and quite a homecoming!

Who did fans think would replace Katy Perry as an American Idol judge?

While the higher ups at American Idol and ABC kept quiet about Carrie replacing Katy as the next judge, there were a few big names who were reportedly being considered for the job before Carrie was confirmed.

One musician who was reportedly being looked at to take Katy's spot was a face old-school fans already love. According to Forbes in February, Jennifer Lopez could've been in the running to be the next judge as she already had some familiarity with how American Idol works.

Back when the original iteration of American Idol aired on Fox, J.Lo made her debut as a judge in season 10 alongside then-fellow co-stars Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler. She returned to the series for season 11 before taking a break for season 12. She then came back for seasons 13, 14 and 15 before the series got canceled in 2016.

Unfortunately for fans who hoped for Jennifer to return to American Idol as a judge, she explained on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 21 that she wasn't ruling out coming back. But, she had a lot of other things on her plate that would make it tough to make a triumphant return.

"I don't know. I really feel like I did it, and it was a great time in my life. It actually reintroduced me — I had just had my babies. They were like, three years old when I was going back to work. They're 16 now, so... not this year. Maybe next year."

According to a February report on DailyMail.com, another possible name who could've been the next judge is none other than global superstar Taylor Swift. While it was highly unlikely she would've accepted the gig, a source allegedly told the outlet she may have been given an offer to star on the show.

"She will be offered the job," the source shared at the time. "That is a long shot. They are just thinking about what would be the best-case scenario, namely to get the biggest star in the world. But they aren't holding their breath on getting Taylor."

What's more, the singer's The Eras tour is wrapping up in late 2024, giving Taylor some free time to travel the country and look for the next great talent... should she decide to do so.

Alongside Carrie, anoter American Idol alum said she wanted to be considered for the job. Shortly after Katy announced her departure, season 6 winner Jordin Sparks expressed her hopes to help other singers' dreams come true on the competition show.

"Oh hiiii @AmericanIdol—I hear a seat opened up at the judges table!" she wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) in February. "I’m putting my name in the hat! 🙋🏻♀️."

Who did Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan think should replace Katy Perry as an American Idol judge?

When Lionel spoke to Entertainment Tonight in April about who he thought would be the perfect judge to sit alongside him and Luke next season, he suggested the original winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. As he explained to the outlet, she's already helped aspiring singers as a coach on The Voice, and she's currently one of the most well-known faces with her hit daytime talk series The Kelly Clarkson Show.

"Not only did I think about it, I slipped important notes. You know what I'm saying, Kelly, we've been together a long time... If you don't have anything else to do, I'd like to drop that out there. Big fan!"

Luke told Entertainment Tonight in his own interview that he has at least "10 names" in mind, and that included one contender who's all about that bass. After the pop musician Meghan Trainor appeared as a coach on season 22, Luke shared his thoughts on her potentially taking Katy's place.

"I think Meghan's always been real fun. You know, that's kinda been her brand, to have fun," he disclosed. "[She's] real witty, so certainly."

Additionally, when speaking to Billboard in July, Luke name dropped two other stars who could potentially be in the running alongside Meghan to take over for Katy.

"I’ve said several names," he told the outlet at the time. "I think P!nk has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks."

Despite P!nk's name having been considered a possibility, she did state her hesitancy to become an American Idol judge in May, giving one particular reason for it: "I don’t like hurting people’s feelings," she told Entertainment Tonight in May. "I like my day job."

Needless to say, congrats to Carrie and we can't wait to see how she fares!

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