<p id=”par-1_70″><em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol/?swcfpc=1″>American Idol</a></em> is known for producing some of the biggest stars in the music industry and beyond. Oklahoma native <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/carrie-underwood/?swcfpc=1″>Carrie Underwood</a> won season 4 of the reality competition series and later became a force in the country music world. Now, she’s returning to her roots to serve as a <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-carrie-underwood-big-problem-being-judge.html/”>judge in <em>American Idol</em> Season 23</a>. Here’s what a source said about Underwood possibly “biting off more than she can chew.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-hit-the-ground-running-with-filming-american-idol-season-23-a-source-says”>Carrie Underwood ‘hit the ground running’ with filming ‘American Idol’ Season 23, a source says</h2>
<p id=”par-2_49″>Carrie Underwood is one of the biggest names in country music and owes her <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-reminisces-american-idol-days-performs-los-angeles-magical.html/”>start to <em>American Idol</em></a><em>.</em> She launched to stardom after winning season 4 in 2005. Now, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-returns-american-idol-ryan-seacrest-weighs-full-circle-moment-welcome-home.html/”>she’s back on <em>American Idol</em> in 2025</a> for season 23 — and this time, she’s serving as a judge. </p>
<p id=”par-3_31″>A source told <a href=”https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/carrie-underwood-may-be-biting-off-more-than-she-can-chew-exclusive/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Life & Style</a> that those around Underwood worry that she’s taking on too many commitments. In early 2025, she also performed at the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-mocked-donald-trump-2017-cma.html/”>second inauguration of Donald Trump</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-4_79″>“2025 is going to be absolutely packed for Carrie, to the point where people around her are questioning if she’s biting off more than she can chew,” the insider alleged. “Being a judge on Idol is going to be such a nerve-wracking experience, that would be enough to handle on its own, but on top of that, she has all kinds of gigs lined up, plus her residency in Las Vegas; it’s hard to imagine how she’ll pull it all off.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_36″>The insider added that the additional time away from her husband, Mike Fisher, might also prove difficult for the star. Fisher and Underwood allegedly went through “so many ups and downs” that tested their marriage. </p>
<p id=”par-6_27″>“It’s going to be a huge juggling act,” the source added. “She feels confident she can handle it, but people do worry she’s taking on too much.” </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-talked-about-feeling-blessed-to-return-to-american-idol”>Carrie Underwood talked about feeling ‘blessed’ to return to ‘American Idol’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Carrie-Underwood-Ryan-Seacrest.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Carrie Underwood and Ryan Seacrest smiling next to each other at ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025′” class=”wp-image-3765779″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Carrie Underwood and Ryan Seacrest at ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025′ | ABC/Al Drago</figcaption></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-carrie-underwood-almost-didnt-audition-american-idol.html/”>
Carrie Underwood’s Mother Convinced Her to Audition for ‘American Idol’ Even Though She Thought It Was ‘Stupid’ </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-7_57″>Carrie Underwood has a lot on her plate in 2025. However, she’s taking the challenges in stride. She spoke on <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaHS2UTq-PI” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>SiriusXM</a> about how excited she feels to join the <em>American Idol</em> Season 23 panel alongside Luke Bryan as two country music giants. However, she also wants fans to know she’s more than just another country star. </p>
<p id=”par-8_84″>“I feel like I’ve been very blessed to obviously be so rooted in country music, but I’ve been able to be a part of many other genres of music as well. I’ve got a song with Papa Roach right now,” Underwood explained. “It’s a lot of fun. I like to think that I’m versatile, and hopefully, when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have any lense I need to put on as far as what kind of music I’m thinking.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_66″>Underwood also explained what kind of judge she hopes to become. “I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind, and I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in. It’s dreams,” she said. “You’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on. So, I think it’s important to be honest, but I think it’s also very important to be kind.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-luke-bryan-says-the-new-judge-has-to-learn-in-real-time”>Luke Bryan says the new judge has to ‘learn in real-time’</h2>
<p id=”par-10_36″>Luke Bryan feels ready to return to <em>American Idol</em> as a judge for season 23. He joined the judging panel in 2018 and hasn’t looked back. Bryan told <a href=”https://www.eonline.com/news/1410133/american-idols-luke-bryan-reveals-advice-for-carrie-underwood-as-new-judge” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>E! News</a> his advice for newbie Carrie Underwood.</p>
<p id=”par-11_43″>“The thing about it is Carrie has to kind of learn in real-time,” Luke said at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. “You kind of have to learn how to be a judge. It’s not like you can go to <em>American Idol</em> Judging School.”</p>
<p id=”par-12_19″>Bryan noted that Underwood “has the best soul and heart,” which makes it hard for her to crush dreams.</p>
<p id=”par-13_42″>“When she has to say ‘no,’ she’s like, ‘I don’t wanna tell them no,’” Bryan said, “but it’s kind of a part [of the job]. It’s hard when you got a kid that’s young and they haven’t found who they are musically.”</p>
<p id=”par-14_12″><em>American Idol</em> Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025. </p>