It’s Official: Carrie Underwood Joins AMERICAN IDOL

Carrie Underwood is officially joining AMERICAN IDOL.

She’ll join returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie (who will be back for their eighth season) and host Ryan Seacrest for season 23.

“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on IDOL and launched her successful multi-GRAMMY Award-winning career,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television. This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”

“Carrie Underwood is the first AMERICAN IDOL alum ever to join the judging panel,” added showrunner Megan Wolflick. “Her global superstar status as the most successful IDOL winner to date makes her a perfect fit for the show. She embodies the true spirit of IDOL as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story. Our future hopefuls will have the chance to receive advice from someone who has walked in their exact footsteps every step of the way. Carrie has always been a strong supporter of IDOL, and I’m thrilled for her to be reunited with our IDOL Family.”

Watch a promo for Underwood’s return to the franchise…

Auditions for the season kick off on Monday, August 12 with “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. According to ABC, “those auditioning will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an AMERICAN IDOL producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.”

The audition dates are…

• Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug 12)
• Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug 14)
• Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug 16)
• Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Aug 19)
• Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Aug 21)
• Nationwide open call (Aug 23)
• Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Aug 26)
• Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug 28)
• Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug 29)
• West and Midwest open call (Sep 4)
• Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee (Sep 6)
• Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C. (Sep 9)
• Nationwide open call (Sep 11)
• The South open call (Sep 13)
• East Coast open call (Sep 17)

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