American Idol season 23 as the first ever winner to take a seat at the judge's table, has been having a tough time with viewers of the season. As Carrie has moved through the season, she's been doing her best to find her voice as a judge and decide what judging style she was going to take on in the role.

While early in the season it was clear that Carrie was struggling on how to move through the season and how she was going to perform, her abilities have come into play as the American Idol episodes have continued to air. Though Carrie may not be the best judge American Idol fans have seen, she's certainly not the worst, and after a few episodes allowed her to get comfortable, Carrie's coming out of her shell. With more practice and a better understanding of her role, the American Idol season 4 winner has finally been appealing to the broader Idol audience.

While Carrie's first episodes of American Idol were highly anticipated, it was quick to see that she wasn't the force of nature some were expecting on screen.

Carrie Was Too Stiff In The First Episodes

She Didn't Have Enough Of A Voice

During the first episodes of the season, American Idol viewers got the chance to finally see Carrie in action after the long buildup to her becoming one of the judges. Although some were excited for the idea of Carrie coming into the show, others were waiting to see what her performance was like before getting too interested in her. Though Carrie was an Idol winner, she hadn't been part of the show for nearly two decades upon her coming in to judge.

While Carrie's first episodes of American Idol were highly anticipated, it was quick to see that she wasn't the force of nature some were expecting on screen. In her first moments as a judge, Carrie hadn't figured out what she was going to be yet. In a new place on American Idol, one that wasn't something she recognized, Carrie hadn't carved her path within the first few times she appeared on screen. While that's not necessarily a negative, American Idol viewers were surprised by the lack of personality she was showing.

Carrie’s Getting More Comfortable Sharing Her Personality

She's Showing Off Her True Self

With the auditions over and Hollywood week now under her belt, Carrie has become a lot more comfortable being a part of the American Idol family. Throughout the first stretch of American Idol season 23, Carrie's performance felt stiff and she was unrecognizable in many moments. Despite knowing that she was a major part of the series, Carrie's personality wasn't coming through on screen. Moving into the more specialized episodes, like Hollywood week and the Aulani resort performances, Carrie's been able to let loose and allow herself to bring out her personality as she's become more of an on-screen presence.

Carrie’s Getting The Hang Of Judging As Her True Self

She's Happy To Be More Comfortable

American Idol has long been a part of the cultural lexicon, and along with it so has Carrie. As the winner of American Idol season 4 and a longtime visitor on the show in her rise to fame, Carrie has been a great part of the series and has managed to ensure that she's always finding herself grateful for her roots on the show. With the American Idol season 23 judge now being able to show more of her personality on the show, viewers are getting the chance to know her here and now, in a whole new light.

American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Source: American Idol/Instagram