Carrie Underwood, a past winner of American Idol, is joining the show as a judge. Producers picked her to replace Katy Perry for a straightforward reason, according to showrunner Megan Wolflick: “She is our queen.”
“It’s been 20 years since she auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis. Having the first Idol alum on the panel has always interested me,” Megan Wolflick told Entertainment Tonight on August 1, after announcing Carrie Underwood’s new role as a judge.
“She is our queen and the icon of American Idol,” added the showrunner.
Advertisement Related: Carrie Underwood Expected to Replace Katy Perry As New ‘American Idol’ Judge
ABC confirmed on Thursday that 41-year-old Carrie Underwood will join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as judges for season 23, 20 years after she won the singing competition in 2005.
Showrunner Megan Wolflick told Entertainment Tonight that the Idol team had been looking for a new judge since Katy Perry, 39, announced her departure in February.
“We’ve been searching and talking to Carrie for a while now,” said Wolflick. “It’s been over two months since the season 22 finale, but these talks have been going on for some time. We’re really excited to make it happen.”
Ryan Seacrest, the longtime host of Idol who was there when Underwood won 20 years ago, is thrilled to have her join the show.
“Ryan is super excited since he’s been with Carrie every step of the way,” said the showrunner. “He’s over the moon about it.”
“Nobody knew my name, and then tens of millions of people watched the show,” Underwood said in a video announcing her new role on Thursday. “I’m proud of what I achieved on the show and everything I’ve done since.”
The short video highlighted Underwood’s achievements, including selling 85 million records worldwide, 28 number-one singles, eight Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and seven CMA awards.
Also check: How To Watch Elizabeth Taylor The Lost Tapes
“Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol winner to become a judge. Her incredible success makes her a perfect fit for the show,” Wolflick said in a statement on Thursday. “She represents the true spirit of Idol, being a real-life Cinderella story. Future contestants will get advice from someone in their shoes.”
Source: Entertainment Tonight