Luke Bryan & Lionel Richie Reveal Carrie Underwood’s Biggest Struggle as a Judge

Country superstar Carrie Underwood has loved being on the other side of the judging table at “American Idol” while taping episodes as a first-time judge, 20 years after winning the competition. The “Jesus Take The Wheel” singer has replaced Katy Perry, who announced she was leaving the show in 2024 to go on a world tour.

Before she started filming, Underwood said she expected to be “very honest” and “constructive” as a judge. But when the season premieres on March 9, 2025, her fellow judges — Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — say viewers will see that she has so much empathy for the contestants, she’s struggling to say no to any of them.

Luke Bryan Says Carrie Underwood Argues for Contestants ‘When the Cameras Are Off’

Bryan told E! News in November, as the trio began taping auditions, that Underwood was struggling to say no to contestants.

“When she has to say ‘No’ she’s like, ‘I don’t wanna tell them no,'” he said at the time. “But it’s kind of a part (of the job). It’s hard when you got a kid that’s young and they haven’t found who they are musically.”

As the judges have made promotional appearances in the days leading up to the premiere, it’s clear that Underwood’s aversion to turning contestants away hasn’t faded.

“It’s been fun watching her learn the role as a judge because she was obviously the contestant that won, that went on to become a massive superstar,” Bryan said while appearing on GMA3 on March 3.

But he said as filming has progressed, Underwood hasn’t been afraid to push back on his and Richie’s assessments of contestants, explaining, “When the cameras are off and we’re deliberating about contestants, you know, Carrie’s like, ‘Guys, you gotta give them a little more time ’cause I was this person … years ago.”

During a March 5 appearance together on “Good Morning America,” Bryan and Richie laughed about the fact Underwood’s aversion to turning away contestants.

“Cannot say no,” Richie said of her, shaking his head.

Carrie Underwood Accuses Luke Bryan of Being ‘Grumpy’ With Contestants

Meanwhile, Underwood seems to think Bryan is a bit too critical of contestants in season 23.

During their interview on GMA, the three judges were asked who was most likely to give out a golden ticket. They all agreed that Underwood and Richie were most prone to let a contestant through to Hollywood, with Bryan agreeing he was the least likely.

“I accused Luke of being Grumpy,” Underwood admitted. “I was like, ‘You’re grumpy! You say no to everyone!”

“When we’re in the deliberation room, we’re deciding people’s fates, you know what I mean?” she said, “and I don’t take that lightly.”

The two-hour season premiere of “American Idol” airs on March 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will be available to view on Hulu the following day.