<p id=”par-1_63″>ABC’s <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol/?swcfpc=1″>American Idol</a></em> Season 23 is here, and fans are excited to see <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwoods-american-idol-judging-gig-not-jeopardy-inauguration-source-claims.html/”>season 4 winner Carrie Underwood</a> take over as <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-katy-perry-alludes-planning-return-judge.html/”>Katy Perry’s replacement</a>. Perry joined the show with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in 2018 and announced she would leave after season 22. Now, a source says the show’s crew is “happier and more comfortable” with Underwood. Here’s what to know. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-american-idol-crew-allegedly-prefers-working-with-carrie-underwood-over-katy-perry”>The ‘American Idol’ crew allegedly prefers working with Carrie Underwood over Katy Perry</h2>
<p id=”par-2_65″>When <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-lionel-richie-luke-bryan-irritated-katy-perry-replacement-source-says.html/”>Katy Perry announced her departure</a> from <em>American Idol</em> after season 22, fans wondered who would replace her. And they’re delighted to see Carrie Underwood take the reins. Underwood became one of the biggest names in country music after winning <em>Idol</em> Season 4. Season 23 will now have two country music giants — Underwood and Luke Bryan — as judges along with Lionel Richie. </p>
<p id=”par-3_33″>While fans are excited to see Underwood as a judge, the show’s executives allegedly are as well. An insider told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/tv/13163299/american-idol-prefers-carrie-underwood-chaotic-katy-perry-judge/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that Underwood is “a ray of sunshine” following Perry. </p>
<p id=”par-4_60″>“I hate to sound so cheesy, but actually it’s like is a ray of sunshine after a chaotic and stormy few years with some of the on-camera talent,” the insider alleged. “To put it bluntly, everyone in the crew, the studio suits, all the producers — really everyone is much happier and more comfortable now with Carrie on the panel.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_28″>The source added that Perry had trouble fitting in and had an off “dynamic” with the crew. The crew also allegedly believes Underwood is a better judge. </p>
<p id=”par-6_55″>“Even with Luke and Lionel, it got better, but it never quite felt right,” the source continued. “Carrie is very professional and a natural. She’s been close with Luke for years, knows and adores Ryan [Seacrest], and she’s known many of the producers for years, too. She hits it off great and bonds well with Lionel.”</p>
<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-American-Idol.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Ryan Seacrest from ‘American Idol’ standing next to each other and smiling” class=”wp-image-3765967″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Ryan Seacrest at the ‘American Idol’ press line in 2024 | Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
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Carrie Underwood Likely ‘Wondering’ if Inauguration Was ‘Worth It’ After Mishaps and Backlash, Source Says </a>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-katy-perry-had-multiple-controversies-as-an-american-idol-judge”>Katy Perry had multiple controversies as an ‘American Idol’ judge</h2>
<p id=”par-7_46″>Katy Perry wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea as an <em>American Idol</em> judge. She caused a stir after telling season 21 contestant Nutsa Buzaladze to have “more grace” following drama with another contestant. Perry then told Buzaladze to stop “glitter bombing the stage” during another performance. </p>
<p id=”par-8_42″>Perry received backlash once more after criticizing <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-season-21-sara-beth-speaks-out-katy-perry-mom-shaming.html/”>contestant Sara Beth Liebe</a>. Liebe told the judges during her audition that she had three children, leaving Perry shocked. Liebe then joked, “If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out.” </p>
<p id=”par-9_12″>Perry joked back, “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much.”</p>
<p id=”par-10_57″>Later, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sara-beth-liebe-responds-american-idol-backlash-over-it.html/”>Liebe took to TikTok</a> to express her hurt feelings. “I think that women supporting and uplifting other women is so cool, and I think that mom shaming is super lame, and I think that it’s hard enough to be a mom, and it’s hard enough to be a woman,” Liebe said in response to Perry’s joke.</p>
<p id=”par-11_66″>Back in 2018, Perry caused chaos once more after kissing contestant Benjamin Glaze. Glaze revealed he’d never been kissed and didn’t want to share a kiss with someone he wasn’t dating. Perry asked him to kiss her on the cheek, and when he went for it, she quickly turned her face to kiss him on the lips. Glaze noted he was “uncomfortable” after the fact. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-s-choice-to-perform-at-the-inauguration-might-not-sit-well-with-her-co-stars”>Carrie Underwood’s choice to perform at the inauguration might not sit well with her co-stars</h2>
<p id=”par-12_51″>Carrie Underwood likely didn’t hope to make a splash with her choice to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-worst-case-scenario-following-carrie-underwoods-inauguration-performance-source-says.html/”>perform at the second inauguration of Donald Trump</a>. However, her performance was met with backlash from <em>American Idol</em> fans. And it might also affect her standing with her co-stars, like Lionel Richie, who has liberal political views. </p>
<p id=”par-13_37″>“Lionel Richie, who is very liberal, may not see eye to eye with Carrie’s views which could create some tension,” an insider told <a href=”https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14314477/carrie-underwood-american-idol-crisis-donald-trump-inauguration.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>DailyMail.com</a> before the season premiere aired. “He has never and will never support Trump.”</p>
<p id=”par-14_24″>Despite the possible backlash, the insider noted that Underwood felt she was “giving back to the country” by taking part in the inauguration. </p>
<p id=”par-15_34″>Underwood “is a former <em>American Idol</em> contestant, and America made her dreams come true, so this is her giving back to the country she loves and which has supported her forever,” the source said.</p>
<p id=”par-16_10″><em>American Idol</em> Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.</p>