Carrie Underwood has brought more attention to Carrie's return to the show as a judge was heralded as a full-circle moment for viewers and for Carrie herself. Carrie won the reality singing competition show in 2005, so she was a natural choice to ask her to return 20 years later.
Carrie brings a level of fame to the show that the other judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, haven't. Maybe it's because audiences watched Carrie find fame after winning American Idol, making her a celebrity people feel close to. She has a relatable quality about her because she was once an unknown singer hoping for the chance to make it big in Hollywood. Her story is close to the hearts of fans, and she's become an integral part of this season. Some have criticized Carrie's judging style, but here are the reasons she should return to the show.
6 Carrie Has A Huge Fanbase
Carrie Is A Major Country Music Star
There's no question Carrie is one of the most famous American Idol alums. Others, like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert, have gone on to have successful careers in Hollywood. Carrie is in excellent company in of American Idol alums.
In the country music world, Carrie is about as big as it gets.
Carrie's career speaks for itself. She's sold over 85 million records worldwide and has one of eight Grammy awards. She even has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Carrie's fan base is bigger than American Idol's. While most know how Carrie got her start, she's transcended the American Idol universe. Carrie has a wide fan base because her music appeals to all ages. Even controversies like her decision to sing at the inauguration for President Donald Trump haven't hurt her. Carrie speaks to a segment of the population who might feel left out of traditional mainstream music.
5 Carrie Has Empathy For The Contestants
Carrie's Been In Their Shoes
One of the biggest reasons Carrie is such a good fit for American Idol is that she has stood in the contestants' shoes before. At just 21 years old, Carrie auditioned for American Idol season four and won, proving the show can work. Of course, the premise of American Idol is that the winner is thrown into superstardom, and while that isn't always the case, Carrie is an example of one of the show's success stories.
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Critics have argued Carrie is too nice or timid to be an effective judge, but the part of Carrie that is relatable to contestants outweighs her drawbacks. It would be intimidating to sing in front of a star like Carrie, which would add to the pressure that the top contestants are feeling while competing, but Carrie can be a calming, relatable presence. She was once just like them, and she hasn't forgotten that.
Early in American Idol season 23, Carrie's interaction with Breanna Nix went viral on social media. Breanna, who is currently in the final three of the competition, showed up to her audition with her young son in tow. Carrie asked if she could hold Breanna's son as she auditioned. Breanna's son curled up into Carrie's lap, and when Breanna tried to be self-deprecating, saying that she was just a stay-at-home mom, Carrie, herself a mom of two, corrected her, saying she should never diminish her role as a mom because it's the most important job.
4 American Idol Has Made Carrie More Relevant
Carrie Is Being Exposed To A Whole New Fanbase
Carrie went on to country superstardom after winning American Idol and achieved mainstream success. Still, she's primarily a country star, and that's the fan base where she's best known. Appearing on American Idol each week, where not just fans of country, but fans of music are watching, is exposing her to an even larger audience. This can only help her remain relevant in pop culture, which is necessary for long-lasting fame.
American Idol doesn't hold the same clout it did when it first premiered, but there's still prestige to being asked back to judge. It's a legacy show and is known to most who might not be a fan of Carrie's. Whether they're buying her records or not, viewers are seeing her weekly behind the judging table, cementing Carrie's status as a superstar.
3 Carrie's Career Is Inspiring To Contestants
Carrie Is One Of American Idol's Success Stories
Carrie's been keeping an "Idol to Icon" video diary on social media during her reign as a judge on American Idol. In her video entries, Carrie recounts her journey from American Idol to stardom. It's just one way the American Idol producers are reminding us that Carrie started as an unknown on the Idol stage and is now an iconic performer.
Carrie is an example to today's American Idol contestants of what is possible by being a part of the show.
The show has the power to catapult winners into fame and fortune, just like it did for Carrie. It's not possible for all winners, since some don't ever progress much beyond the show. But when the timing and the talent are just right, the show is capable of producing stars.
2 Carrie Gives Thoughtful Critiques
Carrie Chooses Her Words Carefully
Carrie isn't one to go the nasty judge route. As someone who can relate to what the singers are going through, she's hesitant to judge them too harshly. Some critics believe Carrie is too nice for the job, but that is just her judging style. Carrie is always going to be polite, but also honest.
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She told finalist Gabby Samone that her "voice was made for a song like that" after Gabby performed "How Far I'll Go" on the show's Disney Night. "You make it look easy," she told Jamal Roberts, who advanced to the final three of this season's competition. She also told season favorite Breanna Nix, "You look like you belong exactly where you are." Carrie's critiques are not meant to mislead contestants, but to encourage them.
1 Carrie's Performances Are Awe-Inspiring
Carrie's Performances Are A Reminder Of Her Talent
American Idol gives judges a chance to get up on the stage and show off from time to time. Carrie's no exception. This season, she's performed "Alone" and "How Great Thou Art?" Carrie's performance of "How Great Thou Art" was particularly breathtaking. Carrie isn't afraid to show off her faith, and the show openly embraces her religious beliefs.
When Carrie goes on stage to perform, it's a reminder of how talented she is and how much she deserves the career that American Idol has afforded her. Winning can only take you so far, but God-given talent cannot be stopped. Carrie's voice is one for the ages, and if she can do it, the final three contestants, Breanna, Jamal, and John Foster, have just as good of a shot.
American Idol airs Sundays & Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Sources: Carrie Underwood/Instagram
American Idol
- Release Date
- March 11, 2018
- Network
- ABC
Cast
Ben HarperSelf-
Jason MrazSelf - Judge
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