Carrie Underwood is officially back on American Idol 20 years after she won the show. Of course, now — as Season 23 airs on the 2025 TV schedule — she’s on the other side of things, judging up-and-comers alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

Carrie’s experience as a contestant is both an advantage and a challenge. She won American Idol in 2005 and knows exactly what it takes to succeed. However, she also remembers the nerves, the doubts, and the pressure of standing in front of a panel of judges.

American Idol” contestant Samantha Ray paid tribute to her late sister with an audition that brought judge Carrie Underwood to tears during Sunday’s new episode.