Katy Perry is fully confident in Carrie Underwood as she gets ready to take over as a judge on American Idol. Following the announcement in August that Underwood, the former Idol winner, would be replacing Perry on the show, the “Woman’s World” singer expressed her trust in Underwood’s abilities in an interview with PEOPLE.
“She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it,” Perry said. “She actually truly knows… What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges.”
Underwood became a household name when she competed on the fourth season of American Idol in 2004. She made it to the finale, where she was crowned the Season 4 winner, which Perry believes gives her a unique advantage over other judges, including current returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
“As artists, we’ve been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day,” Perry explained. “So I think she’s going to have a lot to offer anyone that’s willing to listen.”
Perry’s comments come nearly a year after she announced she would be stepping away from her role as a judge. In February 2024, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she revealed, “I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol.” While she expressed her love for the show, saying it “connected me with the heart of America,” Perry shared that she felt the need to “go out and feel that pulse to my own beat…I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”
In August 2024, Underwood was confirmed as Perry’s replacement, marking her return to Idol after 20 years.
“It feels like home, there are so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant,” Underwood said in an interview on Good Morning America. “I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to offer insight and help and kind of a different viewpoint.”
Underwood, who recently performed “America the Beautiful” at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, added, “I feel like being on both sides of the coin I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help.”
American Idol Season 23 premieres on March 9.
