Carrie Underwood is set to come back for her second year as a judge on American Idol, nearly two decades after she claimed the title in May 2005. Getty Images
Carrie Underwood turned heads as she stepped out in Los Angeles with her fellow American Idol judges for a late-night television appearance on Thursday. She joined Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, just days before the new season returns to screens.
Underwood chose a polished but playful look for the outing. She wore a patterned grey sweater layered over a collared shirt, paired with a dark green plaid miniskirt that showed off her toned legs. White crew socks and shiny dark shoes completed the outfit, while she styled her dark blonde hair in soft waves.
Bringing experience back to the judges’ table
Now 42, Underwood says her past as a contestant shapes how she judges today.
“Hopefully I gave some wisdom, having been in their shoes, that I can impart on them and help them along in that way,” she said.
She won the competition in 2005 and returned to the show last year as a judge. The upcoming season marks her second year in the role, and she says she now feels more settled and sure of herself.
Growing confidence as a judge
Underwood admits she felt unsure during her first season behind the judges’ desk.
“I feel more confident in myself in this role,” she said in an interview. “I feel like last year, you wondered if you'll have anything to say. You wonder what kind of a judge you'll be because you really don't know until you get in there. But I feel good, and I feel good about the talent, for sure."
Carrie Underwood impressed onlookers in a grey sweater paired with a stylish plaid miniskirt. ABC
She says the new season features strong performers and fresh energy, which has added to her confidence.
Significant changes for the new season
The show returns on Monday, Jan. 26, with some major updates. One of the most significant changes moves the famous Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee. Producers made the move partly because two of the three judges come from country music.
Auditions took place at Belmont University in Nashville, not far from Underwood’s 400-acre farm in Franklin. Even so, her busy schedule kept her on the move.
“I live an hour away,” she said. “So we have so much talent to go through that if we're wrapping at 10:00, 10:30 at night, if I'm going to get home at like 11:30, and then I will be back in the makeup chair at 7:00… I've been doing a little bit of that. I've been trying to bounce back and forth."
Standing firm on honest feedback
Fans criticized Underwood during her first season for being too direct with contestants. She later defended her approach and said honesty helps artists grow.
“Sometimes I get in trouble from people like, 'How dare she say that it wasn't perfect?'” she said.
“And I'm like, I just want everybody to learn, and that's part of it. And nobody wants to just hear that they're wonderful all the time… We just want everybody to be able to grow and get better and be the most awesome version of themselves that they could be."
As the new season approaches, Underwood looks ready to balance style, honesty, and experience once again.
