AMERICAN Idol host Ryan Seacrest has posted sweet throwback pics of Carrie Underwood celebrating her return to the show.
The country singer will serve as a judge on the singing competition show, replacing Katy Perry.
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Ryan, 49, posted two photos of him and Carrie, 41, on stage together.
The first is from her time competing on American Idol, while the second is from another appearance on the show.
In the first snap, the Before He Cheats singer is rocking crimped hair and a multicolored dress with a plunging v-neckline.
Her hand is covering her mouth in surprise while Ryan smiles next to her.
The second pic shows the new Wheel of Fortune host holding a microphone to his mouth while standing next to Carrie.
She is wearing a light blue dress with a sheer tulle skirt covering a shorter form-fitting one.
“It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table. Welcome home, @carrieunderwood !” Ryan’s caption read.
Carrie replied in the comments, writing, “Thank you Ryan! Excited to be coming back home!”
Fans were thrilled with Ryan’s kind gesture, but also the news that the Mama’s Song crooner is joining the judge’s panel.
“IDOL kids all grown up! Love you both!!” gushed one supporter.
“Very excited for Carrie to be a judge. She knows exactly what those contestants are going through and it’s going to bring a more personable interaction with everybody,” wrote a second fan.
“She is perfect for this!! Welcome home Carrie. Also trying to figure out where did 20 years go?!?!?!” noted a third American Idol fan.
“Omg I remember watching her on Idol as a contestant and seeing her win!! I’m super happy for her!!” celebrated a fourth.
Who are the past American Idol winners?
The previous American Idol winners include:
Kelly Clarkson (2002)
Ruben Studdard (2003)
Fantasia Barrino (2004)
Carrie Underwood (2005)
Taylor Hicks (2006)
Jordin Sparks (2007)
David Cook (2008)
Kris Allen (2009)
Lee DeWyze (2010)
Scotty McCreery (2011)
Phillip Phillips (2012)
Candice Glover (2013)
Caleb Johnson (2014)
Nick Fradiani (2015)
Trent Harmon (2016)
Maddie Poppe (2018)
Laine Hardy (2019)
Just Sam (2020)
Chayce Beckham (2021)
Noah Thompson (2022)
Iam Tongi (2023)
“So exciting to hear fantastic news you both will do amazingly great on American Idol can’t wait to watch,” another commenter posted.
COMING BACK
Carrie confirmed her return to American Idol on Thursday.
She will join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie at the judge’s table during Season 23.
The announcement was made on Good Morning America and the American Idol Instagram page on Thursday.
“I went from no one knowing my name to 10s of millions of people watching,” Carrie said in a video.
“I was proud of everything I’ve accomplished on the show, and I’m proud of everything I have accomplished.”
As she spoke, throwback footage of her on her farm in Oklahoma, as well as clips of her on American Idol, played on screen.
The footage included the moment Ryan announced that she had won Season Four of American Idol.
“From #AmericanIdol hopeful, to global icon…to IDOL judge! Home-grown superstar @carrieunderwood will join us for Season 8!” the caption read.
Carrie is slated to discuss taking over for Katy on Friday, when she appears on GMA for a performance.
The video concluded with, “Welcome American Idol’s newest judge.”
Carrie is the first former American Idol star to be selected as a judge on the show.
Ryan is also returning to the show, despite his commitment to Wheel of Fortune.
Auditions for Season 23 will kick of on August 8 with the new season airing in Spring 2025.
Carrie beat Bo Bice in Season Four, and went on to become one of the most successful former Idol stars.
She has sold more than 85 million records and had 28 No. 1 hits.
CAN’T WAIT
Idol fans are thrilled to have Carrie joining the judge’s panel.
“This is great news,” one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’m excited to see this. Best season yet to come,” another viewer commented on Instagram.
“The absolute best option for the next judge,” a third fan wrote.
“Iconic casting choice,” another fan gushed.
“Best choice ever!! Carrie is my favorite singer ever and I can’t wait to see her on Idol again,” a fan on Instagram shared.
“YAY! I’m excited to watch,” a sixth fan said.
“Gonna be the perfect judge,” assured one final fan.
LATER, KATY
Katy, 39, announced plans to leave American Idol in February, telling Jimmy Kimmel that Season 22 would be her last.
The Woman’s World singer joined the show amid a major revamp after 15 seasons on air.
“This fall, in September, I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio,” Katy told Jimmy, 56, during her appearance.
“So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.”
She went on to say how much she loves the show, adding that it has helped her connect to fans.
“But, I need to feel my own beat again,” she said.
Katy will release her sixth album, 143, on September 20 and then plans to embark on a world tour.
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