American Idol season 23's Carrie Underwood wore a specific shade of pink when she debuted as a judge, and it has a special meaning because it was the same color that she wore during her American Idol season 4 audition that started it all. Carrie Underwood ed the American Idol season 23 judging , alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, after Katy Perry left the show after seven seasons. Katy, Lionel, and Luke were the original judges when ABC revived the show in 2018 after FOX canceled it in 2016.

Carrie is uniquely qualified to be an American Idol season 23 judge because she won American Idol season 4 in 2005. Since then, she's gone on to become one of the most successful winners of the show and a global superstar, dominating the country music genre for the past two decades. Although Carrie has achieved superstardom, she never forgets that she got her start on American Idol, and she paid a sweet tribute to that with her choice of outfit when she made her debut as a judge.

Carrie Wore A Pink Shirt During Her American Idol Season 4 Audition

Carrie's Pink Shirt Is Now Legendary

During Carrie's American Idol season 4 audition (shared via SteffIdeker on YouTube), she wore a hot pink shirt with a lacy white tank top underneath it and jeans. She sang an incredible a cappella version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt. Before she began singing, she itted that she was nervous because she thought that judge Simon Cowell was scary. After she finished singing, Simon told her that her audition was very good, and Randy Jackson agreed that she had a great voice.

When Randy asked her who her favorite singer was, Carrie answered Martina McBride, and Randy told her that he could hear that in her voice. She then showcased her personality when she clucked like a chicken when Simon asked her about her hidden talent. Simon then stated that he was surprised that they hadn't found a good country singer on American Idol yet. Carrie received three votes of yes from Simon, Randy, and Paula Abdul, and a golden ticket to Hollywood. American Idol fans will always Carrie singing so beautifully in that pink shirt.

Carrie Underwood Wore The Same Shade Of Pink When She Debuted On American Idol Season 23

An American Idol Season 23 Promo Reveals Carrie's First Outfit Choice

In an Instagram post, American Idol shared a promo for season 23, which featured Carrie's debut on the show. The promo began with footage of Carrie waiting to go into her audition during season 4 as a contestant, and then changed to Carrie entering the audition room for the first time during season 23 as a judge. Carrie wore a dress in the exact same shade of hot pink that she wore when she auditioned two decades ago. Her hit song, "See You Again," played in the background for the full-circle moment.

Carrie said in the promo that she couldn't believe that twenty years ago she was standing on a stage just like the one she was looking at as a judge. She became emotional as she thought back to her audition and how far she'd come. Carrie's pink outfit was a special tribute to her American Idol season 4 audition that led to her much-deserved win, and it was a truly beautiful moment.

Carrie’s Fans Immediately Noticed The Connection Between Her Two Outfits

Carrie's Fans Were Emotional About Her Transition From Contestant To Judge

Carrie's fans immediately noticed the connection between her two pink outfits, and they wrote emotional messages in the comments section of the American Idol post, marveling at how quickly twenty years had ed and how much they love her. One fan said, "The fact she's wearing the same color just makes this more special & emotional." Another wrote, "The same exact shade of pink." A third fan said, "I LOVE how you're wearing the exact same hot pink colour as you did walking in day 1."

Carrie has always given American Idol credit for beginning her remarkable career. It's beautiful that she has now paid tribute to her younger self at her audition by wearing the same shade of hot pink for her debut as a judge as she did on that amazing day. American Idol season 23 is going to be very special because of Carrie.

American Idol season 23 premieres on Sunday, March 9, 2025, on ABC.

Sources: SteffIdeker/YouTube, American Idol/Instagram