Carrie Underwood has revealed what sort of American Idol judge she will be – 20 years after she first became a star on the series.

The 41-year-old rose to nationwide fame on the reality competition series in 2005, emerging as the winner of the fourth season.

Two decades on, she is returning to the show for season 23 in 2025, joining a judges’ panel that includes Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

She is taking the place of Katy Perry, who spent seven years on American Idol before announcing her departure earlier this year.

Now Carrie has shared her theories about how she will fare as a judge, during a conversation at Resorts World in Las Vegas with SiriusXM. 

Carrie Underwood has revealed what sort of American Idol judge she will be – 20 years after she first became a star on the series; pictured in Las Vegas last week

She pointed out that she has worked in several genres and so ‘I like to think that I am versatile, and hopefully when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on as far as what kind of music I’m thinking.’

The Before He Cheats songstress added: ‘I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind, and I think that’s the whole point.

Carrie noted that ‘people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams, and you’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.’

She went on: ‘So I think it’s important to be honest but I think it’s also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all of those together and be a good judge.’

Carrie is stepping in for Katy Perry, who was first announced as an American Idol judge in 2017, reportedly earning a staggering $25 million a season.

Last year, Katy was frequently raked over the coals online and accused of ‘bullying’ because of her spiky on-air remarks to contestants.

DailyMail.com exclusively reported then that she was on the brink of quitting the ABC reality show, feeling she was ‘thrown under the bus by producers’ who positioned her to be the ‘nasty judge’ on the series.

Months after the controversies exploded across the internet, Katy announced this February on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she would leave the show after season 22.

The 41-year-old rose to nationwide fame on the reality competition series in 2005, emerging as the winner of the fourth season; pictured singing on the season finale

Audiences across the United States fell in love with Carrie as she rose through the ranks on American Idol and won the season; pictured at the moment of triumph with host Ryan Seacrest

Carrie is now replacing outgoing judge Katy Perry, pictured with her fellow judges Lionel Richie (left) and Luke Bryan (right) and host Ryan Seacrest (second from right) 

When Carrie was announced as Katy’s replacement, Lionel raved that she would be a ‘great judge,’ noting her experience as a contestant on the show.

‘Now we don’t have to explain anymore: “We know how you feel.” As artists, we know how you feel, but we’ve never been in that oval that says, American Idol. She’s been there, done that,’ the crooner explained to E! News.

Carrie became a contestant on American Idol after her barnstorming audition in August 2004, performing the Bonnie Raitt song I Can’t Make You Love Me.

The following year, audiences across the United States fell in love with Carrie as she rose through the ranks on American Idol and eventually won the season.

At the time the judges were Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, while Ryan Seacrest held the hosting position he still occupies today. 

She then became a wildly successful country star with a record 25 CMT Music Awards, and is often cited along with Kelly Clarkson as one of the few American Idol winners to enjoy an A-list career afterwards.