Country superstar Carrie Underwood is expected to replace pop queen Katy Perry on the American Idol judging panel. Underwood, who famously broke into the industry by winning season four of the singing competition, will sit alongside legend Lionel Richie and fellow country artist Luke Bryan for Season 25.
Last winter, Perry revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that she’d be stepping down after seven seasons of ABC’s reboot. “I love ‘Idol’ so much, it’s connected me with the heart of America,” she said, “but I feel like I need to go out to feel that pulse of my own beat.” Since Perry’s announcement, Disney has considered numerous other replacements. Co-judge Luke Bryan alluded to pop artists like Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber possibly joining the show.
No stranger to the ‘Idol’ stage, Underwood has returned to the series multiple times to mentor or perform over the years. Now, she’s ‘coming home.’ ABC’s official announcement is scheduled for Thursday, August 1.
