Carrie Underwood begins role as American Idol judge

Carrie Underwood joined American Idol as a judge for its 23rd season, which premiered on March 9. She replaced Katy Perry, who previously performed at the 2021 inauguration. Underwood faced some backlash for singing "America the Beautiful" at Donald Trump's inauguration in January. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick noted that Underwood handled technical difficulties during her performance well, showcasing her experience from American Idol. Wolflick highlighted the connection between Underwood and Perry, both of whom have performed at presidential inaugurations. The tradition emphasizes the role of American Idol judges in significant cultural moments.