Carrie Underwood is set to make history when she replaces Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol . The 41-year-old country music star - who won season four of the infamous singing competition almost 20 years ago - will be joining Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan as they try to find the next hot star. Carrie’s hire marks the first time a former contestant from the show will serve as a judge, a perspective that she says will help her offer helpful advice to the hopeful singers.
Speaking about her new job on Good Morning America , the Before He Cheats singer said: “It feels like home. There are so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant." Describing her full-circle moment, Carried added: "I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight, and help.
” Explaining the decision to bring “Queen” Carrie back as a judge for the upcoming series, which will air next year, executive producer Megan Wolflick told Entertainment Tonight: “Well, it is 20 years since she auditioned in St. Louis for ‘American Idol,’ and to have the first ever ‘Idol’ alum on the panel has always been something that’s been interesting to me. She is our queen, she is our icon of ‘American Idol.
'” Wolfick continued: “We have been searching, you know, and obviously talking to Carrie for a little bit here. It has been a little over 2 months since the [season 22] finale, but these talks have been going on for a.