<p id=”par-1_59″>ABC’s <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol/?swcfpc=1″>American Idol</a></em> Season 23 welcomes season 4 winner <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwoods-american-idol-judging-gig-not-jeopardy-inauguration-source-claims.html/”>Carrie Underwood as Katy Perry’s replacement</a>. Underwood is known as one of the most successful winners of the reality TV competition series. While she’s revered by fans and <em>Idol </em>contestants alike, she reportedly won’t make nearly as much money as a judge compared to Perry. Here’s what to know. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-will-allegedly-make-substantially-less-money-as-an-american-idol-judge-than-katy-perry”>Carrie Underwood will allegedly make substantially less money as an ‘American Idol’ judge than Katy Perry</h2>
<p id=”par-2_51″>Carrie Underwood proved that <em>American Idol</em> winners can have successful, multimillion-dollar careers waiting for them if they win the reality singing series. Underwood is one of the biggest names in country music. And many fans can’t wait to watch her judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for season 23. </p>
<p id=”par-3_51″>So, how much will <em>American Idol</em> pay Underwood for the judging gig? A source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/tv/13204309/carrie-underwood-american-idol-salary-judge-katy-perry/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that Underwood will be making around what Richie and Bryan make, which is $12 million for the season. However, Katy Perry made around $25 million per season. Perry judged seasons 16 through 22.</p>
<p id=”par-4_31″>“For her first year, Carrie is making substantially less than Katy,” the insider alleged. “Carrie’s salary is in the $10-12 million range, so less than half of what Katy was getting.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_42″>The source added that Underwood could receive a raise depending on viewership. “Depending on Carrie’s performance and how she’s responded to by the viewers, there is room to boost that number up if she were to return next year,” they continued. </p>
<p id=”par-6_43″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-judge-katy-perry-says-her-salary-isnt-exactly-25-million.html/”>Perry once talked about her alleged salary</a> of $25 million while on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>. She gave a clue that she’s not making quite what’s reported — though chances are still high that she was out-earning her fellow judges, Richie and Bryan.</p>
<p id=”par-7_36″>“It’s not always what’s reported,” Perry said on the talk show. “I’m not here to confirm or deny. Let’s just say that those things are to be taken with a grain of Himalayan salt, for sure.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-will-carrie-underwood-return-for-future-seasons”>Will Carrie Underwood return for future seasons?</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>
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Carrie Underwood’s Inner Circle ‘Worries’ for Her as ‘American Idol’ Season 23 Premiere Looms, Source Says </a>
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<p id=”par-8_34″>The insider told The U.S. Sun that Carrie Underwood only signed a one-year contract with<em> American Idol</em>. It’s unclear if she plans on returning. However, the executives will likely “want Carrie back, no question.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_33″>It’s unclear what will happen if Katy Perry also wants to return as an <em>American Idol</em> judge. In April 2024, Perry spoke about her departure from the show on <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgeIPOe-k9Y” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Good Morning America</em>.</a> </p>
<p id=”par-10_56″>“You know, <em>American Idol</em> has healed my heart,” Perry said. “It’s been incredible to be on this journey with [Bryan and Richie]. I feel so connected to America that I want to go out there again, and sing, and play music, and hold their hands, and touring, and bring my daughter, and show her, and all that stuff.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_23″>She then alluded she wants her replacement to keep her “seat warm,” which might mean <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-katy-perry-alludes-planning-return-judge.html/”>she hopes to return</a> after season 23. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-american-idol-might-lose-viewership-because-of-the-country-star-s-inauguration-performance”>‘American Idol’ might lose viewership because of the country star’s inauguration performance</h2>
<p id=”par-12_48″>Carrie Underwood allegedly has an opportunity to make more money as an <em>American Idol</em> judge if her first season brings in high ratings and good viewership. However, her choice to perform at the second <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-worst-case-scenario-following-carrie-underwoods-inauguration-performance-source-says.html/”>inauguration of Donald Trump might sabotage her efforts</a> and turn her fans away. </p>
<p id=”par-13_84″>Another source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/13367169/carrie-underwood-staying-quiet-american-idol-inauguration-worst-case/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that <em>American Idol</em> executives wanted to keep politics out of the show conversation. “The show just wants to stay away from anything political, so this turning into such a big, worldwide topic of conversation is not what [the producers] wanted heading into the start of the season,” the source explained. “The situation has become too big and out of anyone’s control now, which is a stressful position to be in while trying to promote a family-friendly, politically neutral show.”<a href=”https://eb2.3lift.com/pass?tl_clickthrough=true&redir=https%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fddm%2Fclk%2F603144068%3B411375162%3Bx&pr=0.986&bc=2.398&aid=34381042667337983695401&bmid=3658&biid=3658&sid=23278&did=67693&tid=22477755&clid=22081037&brid=5998&adid=22515723&crid=299864947&ts=1737925029&bcud=2398&ss=12&dmp_ids=CpEBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2hlYXRzaGVldC5jb20vZW50ZXJ0YWlubWVudC9hbWVyaWNhbi1pZG9sLXdvcnN0LWNhc2Utc2NlbmFyaW8tZm9sbG93aW5nLWNhcnJpZS11bmRlcndvb2RzLWluYXVndXJhdGlvbi1wZXJmb3JtYW5jZS1zb3VyY2Utc2F5cy5odG1sLxI8Cgdscm0tM3BjEjFYWTI2OTBlY3dKaWxQZjdaNHhZQy1GY3ZCc09wd0w5cHI1MS1Qam55cFUwV3ViUDF3EiAKBnRsdWlkcBIWMzgyOTMzNjkxODM0ODIwOTE5MTgyMhIhCgd0bHVpZC0xEhYzODI5MzM2OTE4MzQ4MjA5MTkxODIyGgJiMiAA&cb=72119″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”></a></p>
<p id=”par-14_10″><em>American Idol</em> Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.</p>