American Idol judge and country music legend Carrie Underwood often seemed miserable during season 23, which could be a sign that she won’t return for season 24. Carrie took Katy Perry’s seat at the judging table alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan when Katy left the show after seven seasons in order to focus on her own music career. Carrie seemed like the perfect replacement for Katy because she won American Idol season 4 in 2005, and has since become a global superstar.

However, throughout American Idol season 23, it seemed that Carrie wasn’t happy in her role as a judge. She received backlash for not giving the contestants any useful advice, and she didn’t seem comfortable in her new role. As decisions are made about whether Carrie will return for American Idol season 24, here are the signs that she was miserable as a judge, and, therefore, probably won’t be back.

1Carrie Underwood Had A Hard Time Saying No To The American Idol Contestants During The Auditions

Carrie Didn’t Want To Crush People’s Dreams

One of the first signs that Carrie was uncomfortable as an American Idol judge was when she admitted that it was hard for her to say no to the contestants after their auditions. In an interview with Extra while filming the New York auditions, Carrie shared, “Whenever somebody is saying, ‘I can sing another one. I have this song, I have this song’ … I did one yesterday. I was like, ‘Okay.’ But then it’s like, that’s even worse because it’s still a no.”

It was a good thing that Carrie related to the American Idol contestants, but perhaps she identified with them too much. Although she never heard a no from the judges when she was on the show, she certainly received her fair share of negative feedback. In addition, Carrie knows what it’s like to succeed on the show and win, so she most likely didn’t want to take that phenomenal feeling away from the contestants and crush their dreams. This was probably why she didn’t enjoy being an American Idol judge.

2Carrie Was Worried About Seeming Mean As A Judge

Carrie Didn’t Want To Hurt People’s Feelings

Ever since Carrie first appeared on American Idol in 2005, she’s been known as America’s Sweetheart, with a reputation for being gentle and kind. During her time as a judge, Carrie seemed conscious of her image, and she even admitted that she was worried that she’d seem mean if she gave negative feedback to the contestants.

When Carrie joined Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour (shared via Audacy), she admitted that she was worried that she was coming across as mean on the show. She said, “I was nervous coming in because it’s a different ballgame, you know, and sitting on the other side of the table, more than anything, I want to help all of these people coming through, and help them become better performers and live their dreams.”

Carrie continued, “So I want to be constructive and tell them things they can work on, but then you’re like, am I coming across mean, or like how is it gonna turn out, that I’m really happy getting to watch the first little bits of it. There’s so much talent. It’s kind of insane how gifted some of these people are.” Because Carrie cares so much about people, she was worried about hurting their feelings, which made judging very challenging for her.

3Carrie Was Often Emotional During American Idol

Carrie Felt Things Deeply

During American Idol season 23, it was obvious that Carrie cared deeply about the contestants and their loved ones, as evidenced by how many times she became emotional during their stories. She felt things deeply, which can take a toll on a person after a while. Carrie was so invested in the contestants, and she seemed to find it hard to detach from them. This was most likely why she found it so difficult to judge them.

This was especially true when she wept during contestant Slater Nalley’s audition, in which he sang his original song, “Traces of You,” which he wrote for his teacher’s late son. When Slater finished singing, Luke noticed that Carrie was sobbing. He asked Carrie if she was okay, and she cried as she said no. If American Idol took an emotional toll on Carrie, then she might want to take a break from the show or leave it behind permanently. Carrie’s heart might be too big to be an American Idol judge.

4Carrie Didn’t Like American Idol Eliminations

Carrie Didn’t Want To Make The Difficult Decisions

Image via ABC

Carrie never seemed happy during the American Idol season 23 eliminations, but she was especially uncomfortable when she, Lionel, and Luke had to make the decisions about who was going home. When it was time for them to save four contestants to make up the Top 14, sending six people home, Carrie was especially distressed.

✕Remove Ads

In an interview with USA Today, Carrie shared, “My brain was almost like, ‘Six! I can’t do it!‘ We were pretty much aligned; there were a couple of concessions that had to be made, but, all in all, I think we’re happy with how it turned out, other than six people had to go home, which is a huge jump.”

In the same interview, Lionel shared that Carrie had a very hard time deciding which contestants to send home in such a short amount of time. He said, “The 2½ minutes was, ‘Come on, Carrie. Give us the answer. [Carrie said,] ‘I don’t want any of them to leave!’ [We said,] ‘Carrie, we’ve got a minute left. What is the answer?’ This is her first time around, and she’s on this side of the judges’ table.” Carrie’s aversion to making big decisions about the American Idol contestants’ fates probably led to her feeling miserable on the show.

5Carrie Refused To Participate In The Judges’ Save

Lionel Richie & Luke Bryan Wanted Her Help

Carrie never looked more uncomfortable during American Idol season 23 than she did after the Judges’ Song Contest during the Judges’ Save. She’d lost the contest, so it was up to Lionel and Luke, who’d tied, to save either Mattie Pruitt or Josh King from elimination. When the time came, Carrie backed away in her chair from the judges’ table. Luke joked, “Where you going, Carrie?,” as she replied, “I have nothing to do with this,” and put her hands up. Lionel then pleaded, “Carrie, we need you.” Carrie responded, “Nope. No,” and pushed her chair completely away from them.

Luke and Lionel then decided to save Mattie, leaving Carrie to clap politely without a smile on her face. Carrie seemed relieved when she lost the Judges’ Song Contest because it meant that she didn’t have to make the heartbreaking decision between Mattie and Josh. Her refusal to participate in the Judges’ Save proved that she wasn’t cut out to be an American Idol judge, and this is why she most likely won’t be back for season 24.

6Carrie Was Uncomfortable Giving Negative Feedback To The American Idol Contestants

Carrie Didn’t Want To Be The Villain

Throughout American Idol season 23, Carrie was often criticized for not giving any negative feedback to the American Idol contestants. However, the reason that she didn’t assert herself more could’ve been that she was matching Lionel and Luke’s cheerleader energy. They’d both been on the show for seven seasons before Carrie, and they were known as the nice guys, so Carrie most likely didn’t want to be cast in the role of the villain judge by making waves.

When Carrie did finally give some advice to eventual winner Jamal Roberts after his Top 5 performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” encouraging him to work the stage more, she received fierce backlash from fans who accused her of favoring other contestants, including her fellow country singer John Foster, who placed second in the competition in the end. It seemed that Carrie couldn’t win no matter what she did.

✕Remove Ads

It had to be frustrating for Carrie because Lionel and Luke showered Jamal with praise, making her constructive criticism stand out even more. Carrie must’ve been miserable having to censor herself all season so that she didn’t make herself out to be the bad guy on the show. If Carrie can’t tell the truth as an American Idol judge because Lionel and Luke almost never give any negative feedback, then she might decide to leave.

7Carrie Shined Brightest In Her Singing Performances

Carrie Was Most Comfortable Doing What She Does Best

Although Carrie didn’t seem comfortable as an American Idol judge, she shined on stage during her performances throughout the season. During Songs of Faith Night, Carrie closed the show with an inspiring and stunning rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” which earned her rave reviews. It was a beautiful and spiritual moment that transcended the show and proved that Carrie is one of the most spectacular vocalists of all-time.

During American Idol season 23 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, Carrie recreated her iconic season 4 performance of Heart’s “Alone,” after which judge Simon Cowell had correctly predicted that not only would she win the show, but she’d sell more albums than any other previous winner. In this song, Carrie showcased her sensational vocals, which have astonishingly gotten even better since her flawless performance on the show twenty years ago.

✕Remove Ads

It was clear in both of these performances that Carrie is much more at home singing on stage than sitting behind the judges’ table. She came to life and flashed her beautiful smile, which lights up the stage. Rather than return to American Idol as a judge, Carrie will most likely want to go back to performing on a more regular basis because it’s where she’s happiest.

8Carrie Doesn’t Seem Eager To Return To American Idol

Carrie’s Lukewarm Response To Coming Back Says It All

When American Idol season 23 wrapped filming, Carrie didn’t seem all that eager to return to the show for season 24. In an interview with E! News, she shared, “I had a lot of fun, for sure. I didn’t know how I would feel about it. And Luke and Lionel, and the crew, [and] the people who work on the show are just so easy to be around.” When asked if she felt that the three of them should be back next season, she replied, “I mean, that would be cool, I think.”

In another interview with Access Hollywood at the American Idol finale, when asked what the show would have to do to get her to come back, Carrie shared, “I don’t know! I feel like there’s a lot to discuss. We’re just kind of enjoying tonight. Yeah. I don’t ever think too far ahead.” In both of these answers, Carrie didn’t seem overly excited about returning to the show. In fact, she seemed wishy-washy, which could mean that she isn’t coming back because she didn’t enjoy it. The fact that Carrie wasn’t gushing about how much she loved being a judge is very telling.

It’s disappointing that Carrie seemed to be miserable during her time as an American Idol judge, but her reaction to the job is a testament to the kind of person she is. She doesn’t revel in hurting people’s feelings or standing out as a villain like former judge Simon. As an alum of the show, she knows what it’s like to be critiqued on national television, and she related too much to the contestants because of it. It would be nice to see Carrie come back for American Idol season 24, but, if it’s detrimental to her well-being, then she shouldn’t return.

American Idol is available to stream on Hulu.

✕Remove Ads