Luke Bryan has some heartfelt advice for Carrie Underwood as she embarks on her new role as a judge on *American Idol*. During the CMA Awards red carpet on November 20, Bryan, 48, shared insights with E! News about what it takes to thrive in this demanding position. “The thing about it is Carrie has to kind of learn in real time,” he explained. “You can’t just attend an American Idol judging school.”
Bryan praised Underwood, 41, for her natural rapport with contestants, noting that she brings “the best soul and heart” to the judging table. “She’s doing a great job and really settling into the judging table,” he added, highlighting her ability to connect with the aspiring singers.
However, Bryan also pointed out one challenge Underwood faces: the difficulty of delivering bad news. “When she has to say ‘No,’ she’s like, ‘I don’t wanna tell them no,’” he said. “But it’s kind of a part of the job. It’s hard when you’ve got a kid that’s young and they haven’t found who they are musically.” This empathetic approach reflects Underwood’s own journey as a former contestant who won the show back in 2005.
In a lighthearted moment during an August interview with Seattle radio host Gabe Mercer, Bryan joked about Underwood needing to “up her therapist” to cope with the emotional demands of judging alongside him and Lionel Richie. “If she has a therapist, she’s probably going to have to double to deal with me and Lionel,” he quipped. “Maybe I should credit her. Do therapists do gift cards where I can call her therapist and gift her a voucher?”
Underwood’s return to American Idol is indeed a full-circle moment for the country superstar. After winning Season 4 of the show nearly two decades ago, she has come back as a judge, stepping into the role previously held by Katy Perry. The announcement was made on August 1 during Good Morning America, featuring nostalgic footage of Underwood’s original audition journey from her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma.
Reflecting on her past, Underwood recalled the pivotal moment when she learned about auditions in St. Louis: “I remember being at home in our little house and seeing on TV that there were auditions. My mom said, ‘If you want to go, I’ll drive you.’” She added, “I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.”
As fans eagerly await Season 23 of *American Idol*, set to premiere on March 9, 2025, they can look forward to seeing how Underwood navigates her new role while bringing her unique perspective as a former contestant.
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