There are some signs that American Idol host Ryan Seacrest is bending over backwards for new judge Carrie Underwood, and the reason could be that he shares a twenty-year history with the American Idol season 4 winner. Ryan has hosted American Idol since season 1, when his co-host was Brian Dunkleman. However, beginning in season 2, Ryan was the sole host of the show, and he's been there for both the FOX and ABC iterations of the hit singing competition series for the past 22 years.

For American Idol season 23, Carrie will be taking departing judge Katy Perry's place at the judging table, alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Katy decided to leave American Idol after seven seasons as a judge in order to focus on her own music career again. There have been mixed reactions to Carrie being chosen as Katy's replacement. While some can't wait to see Carrie return to the show permanently after her 2005 win, others have said that they won't watch after she performed at President Donald Trump's inauguration. Whatever the fans decide, one thing's for sure: Ryan won't tolerate anyone treating Carrie with disrespect.

Ryan Won't Put Up With Certain Behavior On The Show

Ryan Learned Lessons From Katy Perry's Time As A Judge

As Carrie makes her American Idol debut, Ryan won't put up with her being treated poorly or unfairly. A source told Life & Style, that Ryan is determined not to repeat history after the work environment at the show became "vicious" behind the scenes because of the backlash that Katy sometimes faced due to her to the contestants. The insider revealed that Ryan also received "awful" backlash because whatever the judges do affects him.

Therefore, Ryan "wants to do everything he can to make sure Carrie avoids any pitfalls and stays golden in the fans’ eyes. The best way of doing that is to be ive and work as a team and ensure there’s no rivalry or cattiness. He’s made it known that won’t be tolerated." Ryan is going out of his way to make Carrie feel welcome and to make American Idol a professional work environment.

Hopefully, Carrie will have an easier time on the show than Katy, who was often harshly criticized as an American Idol judge. With Ryan on her side, Carrie has a good chance of succeeding. If he defends her to her critics and protects her, then she'll be in a good position moving forward.

Carrie Underwood Has Major-League Star Quality

Carrie Is One Of The Most Successful American Idol Winners

After Carrie won American Idol season 4, she went on to become one of the most successful winners. She's a country music legend and a global superstar. The Grammy Award winner has sold 85 million records worldwide and released 28 number one hits, among her many other phenomenal accomplishments. In addition, Carrie has charisma and a unique personality that adds value to the show.

It makes sense that Ryan would want to work hard American Idol. It's rare that stars the judging when their careers are still going strong, but Carrie fits that description. She currently has a Las Vegas residency called Reflection, which began in 2021 and will conclude in April 2025, before the live American Idol episodes begin. It's highly possible that Carrie will only stay with American Idol for one season, especially because The US Sun reported that she's only signed a one-year contract. However, Ryan will most likely do his best to entice her to stay.

Ryan's Protecting Carrie's Image

Some Fans Turned On Carrie After Her Inauguration Appearance

After Carrie performed "America the Beautiful" at President Donald Trump's inauguration, some people were outraged and vowed to boycott American Idol until Carrie leaves. They believed that her decision to perform meant that she fully ed President Trump, but, in a statement to People, Carrie explained why she sang at the inauguration.

Carrie stated, "I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."

Ryan wants to preserve Carrie's image as America's Sweetheart, so he's making sure that he gives her the guidance she needs. According to the Life & Style source, Ryan loves Carrie's "warm and bubbly personality and thinks she’s a huge talent." Another source told the outlet, "She’s quite nervous and wants to do her best job and Ryan’s appointed himself Carrie’s guiding light. She’s his favorite, he gives her most if not all his attention, when she speaks, he’s all ears."

If Carrie really is nervous about her new role as an American Idol judge, then there's no one better than Ryan to be her cheerleader. Not only is he a kind friend, but he's very influential in the entertainment industry, so his opinion matters. After Carrie's controversy with the inauguration, having someone like Ryan defend her character to her critics is very important.

Carrie Underwood's Known For Her Caring Spirit

Carrie Isn't A Diva

As an American Idol judge, Carrie will bring kindness to the show. She's certainly not a diva, and Ryan probably loves this. In an American Idol season 23 trailer (shared via YouTube), Carrie's caring spirit shines through. She's attentive to the contestants during their auditions, sitting quietly while they sing, without interrupting. She puts the focus solely on them. In addition, Carrie sobs as one contestant speaks about being raised by his grandparents from the age of 10, proving that she genuinely cares about them.

At the end of the American Idol season 23 trailer, Carrie is heard saying, "This show is for people that have the talent, have the dream, and they just need a chance." Carrie expressed a similar sentiment when she mentored the American Idol season 20 Top 5 contestants during a week dedicated to her and her music. When she met eventual winner Noah Thompson, she told him that she could relate to him because they both grew up in "tiny towns." In her confessional, Carrie broke down in tears because she said that American Idol was created for people like her and Noah, who didn't know that they could dream that big.

Carrie said that it was a beautiful thing, and her decision to audition for American Idol changed her entire life. She added that to see contestants get every opportunity they've ever wanted was just magical. Ryan has seen Carrie interact with the contestants firsthand in both of these instances, so he knows that she exudes kindness, which is why he wants to do the same for her.

Ryan's Thinking About The Show's Future

Ryan Wants Carrie To Stay With The Show Long-Term

Because it's been reported that Carrie has only signed a one-year American Idol contract, it's likely Ryan will want to try to convince her to make a long-term deal with the show. The Life & Style source reported that Ryan has really taken Carrie under his wing, and he's told Lionel and Luke to do the same. He wants to make Carrie feel welcome, not only because they're close friends, but because he would love for her to stay with the show for more than one season.

The source explained, "[Ryan] thinks it’s a huge coup to have one of the show’s biggest success stories front and center at the judges’ table and believes she’ll serve as an inspiration for all the contestants." Ryan is taking good care of Carrie to avoid her becoming involved in any drama that might cause her to leave American Idol. He wants to see her on the show for many years to come. Carrie is an asset to the show, and she could possibly lead to the big ratings boost that the show needs.

Ryan Has Known Carrie For 20 Years

Ryan & Carrie Are Close Friends

Ryan has known Carrie for twenty years, as they met when Carrie auditioned for American Idol season 4 in 2004. In a clip from Live With Kelly & Ryan (shared via YouTube), when Carrie was his co-host, the friends reminisced about when he asked her if she saw any stars in Los Angeles (meaning celebrities), and she innocently responded that it had been cloudy outside. The friendship between them was evident as they looked back together.

Outside of American Idol, Ryan and Carrie most recently worked together on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest in December 2024, during which he hosted and she performed. Whenever they appear together, it's obvious that they have a strong connection and that they go way back. Ryan seems to care a lot about Carrie, so he's now going out of his way to make her happy on American Idol.

Ryan Knows Carrie's Been Through A Lot

Carrie Had A Serious Accident In 2017

Ryan knows that Carrie has been through a lot in the past few years, especially after her 2017 accident. In November 2017, Carrie fell down the steps outside of her Nashville, Tennessee home while walking her dogs. She broke her wrist, and even needed surgery and physical therapy, but her most serious injury was to her face. Carrie needed 40 to 50 stitches above her lip, both inside and outside of her mouth. The injury even hindered her ability to sing for a while, which delayed her 2018 album, Cry Pretty.

Carrie was worried that she'd look different after her accident, but, thankfully, the long-term effects to her face were minimal. However, some fans have speculated that she's had plastic surgery, which Carrie has denied. In addition to going through the trauma of a terrible accident, it's been difficult for her to endure the constant scrutiny of her appearance. As her friend, Ryan is understandably protective of her, so he wants her to feel comfortable as she appears on television screens every week on American Idol.

Carrie's An American Idol Legend

Ryan Wants To Give Carrie The Royal Treatment

Carrie is an American Idol legend who deserves to have the royal treatment as she returns home to the show. She's achieved so much in the past twenty years, and she should be treated with respect. Although some people might not agree with every one of her decisions, she deserves a chance. Carrie is bringing a unique perspective to the show as an American Idol winner because she knows exactly what it takes not only to win the show, but to have an extraordinary career after it.

Carrie's spectacular American Idol season 4 performances were some of the best in the show's history. Her most legendary performance was when she sang "Alone" (shared by markusa51 on YouTube). After her performance, notoriously harsh judge Simon Cowell correctly predicted that, not only would she win American Idol season 4, but she'd sell more records than any other previous winner. Carrie's American Idol season 4 win was magical, and she's now bringing that energy back to the show.

Carrie is an incredible person and has sensational talent. She'll bring all of this to American Idol. As she takes her place at the judges' table, it's comforting to know that Ryan will be in her corner, bending over backwards to make her feel at home. Ryan is a great friend to Carrie, and she's lucky to have him rooting for her. American Idol season 23 will welcome Carrie with open arms because of Ryan.

American Idol season 23 premieres on Sunday, March 9 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Sources: Life & Style, The US Sun, People, American Idol/YouTube, Live With Kelly & Ryan/YouTube, markusa51/YouTube