Simon Cowell Reacts to Carrie Underwood Joining American Idol as New Judge

by Pooja Chauhan · 04/09/2024

Simon Cowell praises Carrie Underwood’s addition to the American Idol judges’ panel, calling it a great choice nearly 20 years after her win on the show.

Bollywood Fever: Simon Cowell has weighed in on American Idol‘s newest judge, and he’s giving a stamp of approval. One month after it was announced that Carrie Underwood would be replacing Katy Perry for the upcoming 25th season of the ABC singing competition, Cowell shared his thoughts on the country star joining the judges’ table.

“I think it’s a good choice,” Cowell told E! News’ Will Marfuggi after America’s Got Talent‘s Sept. 3 live show. “Carrie, we go back a long way. I remember her audition like it was yesterday. She was so good, she’s such a sweet person.”

Simon Cowell Reacts to Carrie Underwood Joining American Idol as New Judge

Underwood’s return to Idol comes nearly 20 years after her own win in 2005, and Cowell, who was a judge during her season, offered advice for her new role:

“You just gotta say how you feel. It’s not that difficult doing this job, I promise you. We all feel the same things and we don’t agree, thank God. Otherwise, life would be boring. And just enjoy it.”

Underwood, meanwhile, is excited to take on her new position. During a surprise appearance at SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour in Las Vegas on Aug. 23, she shared her enthusiasm about the opportunity.

“I like to think that I am versatile and, hopefully, when I listen to people come and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on in terms of what music I’m thinking.”

Though Underwood plans to lead with kindness, she assured that her critiques would remain honest and constructive.

“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” she said. “People are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”

Underwood will join returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for American Idol‘s milestone 25th season, which promises to deliver more memorable moments as the show continues its legacy of discovering the next big stars.