Carrie Underwood looks elegant and radiant in the latest American Idol preview and teaser shots, wearing a vibrant pink mini dress with cute matching buttons and a belt, complemented by a coordinating cape piece. The “Before He Cheats” hitmaker, 41, recently posted a side-by-side comparison of this outfit with the one she wore during her American Idol audition in 2005. After winning that season, Underwood is now gearing up to join the musical competition series as a judge for the first time.
On Instagram, numerous fans were thrilled with Underwood’s recent appearance, eagerly sharing their enthusiasm about her potential participation in the upcoming season of the popular reality TV music show. In contrast, some voiced their dissatisfaction and frustration over her performance at Donald Trump‘s presidential inauguration last month.
In her February 9th Instagram post caption for her 13.2 million followers, Underwood wrote: ““Then” as a contestant vs. “Now” as a judge 20 years later! Counting down the days as we’re one month away from the March 9 season premiere of @americanidol on @abc and Stream on @hulu!”
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Carrie Underwood Stuns in a Mini Cape Dress for ‘American Idol’ Teaser Amid Ongoing Backlash Over Inauguration Performance
In the comments section, one user described the mom of two’s look to be “stunning” as one other added: “literally so amazing!” Someone else gushed: “What a full circle moment! Can’t wait!” Others, however, criticized the “Denim & Rhinestones” singer for agreeing to perform a live rendition of “America The Beautiful” at the controversial Trump inauguration on January 20th.
One commented: “No thanks ! Anyone that sings willingly for an insurrectionist is not worth watching!” Another replied: “skipping this season.” One other added: “Yea won’t be watching this year then. Can’t support a show that hires a woman who supports hate and racism and convicted felons.”
Following recent reports, it appears that the executives of American Idol are aware of the possible impact Underwood’s recent performance at the 2025 presidential inauguration could have on the show, particularly concerning their current initiatives to improve LGBTQ representation.
The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer was invited to perform “America The Beautiful” during the ceremony where President Trump, 78, was inaugurated for his second term last week. The Grammy winner’s choice to sing for the convicted felon has sparked considerable controversy, leading to calls for a boycott of her forthcoming debut as a judge on the widely–watched ABC series.
According to The Daily Mail, insiders have expressed worries that participants might experience discomfort, potentially causing issues for the show's principles and viewership. One tipster dished to the outlet: "Idol contestants come from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, and so do the people who work on the show."
They added: "There are concerns that her apparent political stance might make some contestants feel uncomfortable." The source went on: "There's also worry that backlash could impact viewership. Her apparent support for Trump doesn't align with the show's values of inclusivity and diversity."
After years of criticism, Idol has garnered greater acclaim since its transition from FOX to an ABC reboot in 2018, creating a more welcoming environment for minorities and LGBTQ individuals, as reported by the outlet. The publication also highlighted that while notable contestants like Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken, and David Archuleta revealed their sexual orientation after their participation on the show, it took 13 seasons for a contestant to openly discuss their sexuality.
This openness is now more frequently observed in the initial audition phases. The source continued, regarding Underwood's fellow judges for the upcoming season: "Lionel Richie, who is very liberal, may not see eye to eye with Carrie's views which could create some tension." They added: "He has never and will never support Trump."
The insider observed that since the adjustments made in season 16 in 2018, judges are generally encouraged to steer clear of political commentary, though they occasionally still share their opinions. Idol judge Luke Bryan notably drew significant attention in 2022 when he brought Republican politician Ron DeSantis on stage during a concert in Florida.
The tipster ultimately wondered if Underwood had thought about her position on Idol and how performing for one of the nation's most controversial presidents might affect the show. They explained: "The general opinion is that Carrie should have thought about the show's culture and network values before jumping into such a major role while under contract."
In August 2024, on Good Morning America, Underwood was introduced as a new judge on American Idol. She originally gained fame by winning the show's fourth season in 2005. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the 23rd season is set to debut on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 8 PM ET on ABC. The judging panel includes Underwood, Richie, 75, and Bryan, 48.
This follows the departure of former judge Katy Perry, who left to focus on new musical projects. Contestant Abi Carter emerged victorious in the previous season, which concluded in May 2024. Fresh episodes will also be available for streaming on Hulu throughout the winter and spring.
