Ryan Seacrest Reveals How He *Really* Feels About Carrie Underwood Replacing Katy Perry on American Idol
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Everyone’s got an opinion about Carrie Underwood replacing Katy Perry on American Idol. But no one’s as close to both of them as Ryan Seacrest, who has been the host of American Idol since the show’s first season. So how does Ryan Seacrest feel about Carrie Underwood replacing Katy Perry as a judge on the hit dancing competition?
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Ryan Seacrest Reacts to Carrie Underwood American Idol Katy Perry Replacement
Seacrest posted a sweet message on Instagram with a throwback picture to the moment when he announced Underwood as the winner of Season 4 of American Idol, with a caption that read: “It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table. Welcome home, @carrieunderwood !”
So, it’s fair to say that Seacrest is all in for Underwood as the new judge of American Idol Season 23. And if the opinion of the man who has spent the most time on American Idol, and with both Underwood and Perry isn’t one to take into account, then whose opinion are we going to listen to? The singer will join Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan at the judges table in the singing competition, with Seacrest also set to return as the host for next season, the show’s 23rd.
More: Why did Katy Perry leave American Idol?
Katy Perry previously served as a judge on American Idol, joining the show in 2018 and appearing on the competition for seven seasons. She announced her exit from the series in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in February 2024. “I love ‘Idol’ so much, it’s connected me with the heart of America,” Perry said. “But I feel like I need to go out to feel that pulse of my own beat.”
Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber were some of the names in contention before Underwood signed on to become a judge, but ultimately the nostalgia aspect seems to have won out. Back in February 2024 a source had told The Daily Mail “a return from the past is on the cards.” And Underwood, the most successful winner in the show’s history, represents exactly that.
Other names that had been mentioned were Bon Jovi, Meghan Trainer, and even Jennifer Lopez.
American Idol is available to stream on Hulu.
Watch ‘American Idol’ on Hulu
Check out our ranking of all of American Idol‘s winners — from Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood — in the gallery below.
