According to recent reports, 2005 American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, is returning to where it all began.
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ABC is expected to announce Underwood’s new role as judge on the singing show later this week. The 41-year-old will take the vacant space left by Katy Perry who made her exit after last season. If everything pans out as expected, Underwood will join fellow Country star, Luke Bryan, and R&B/Soul icon, Lionel Richie, on the judging panel with Ryan Seacrest as host.
In regards to her hopes for the judge that would fill her spot, Perry told E! News, "I want someone that is not afraid to tell the truth in a graceful way… just someone that has a strong sense of self, that listens to their intuition.”
Underwood took home the win on season four of the competition and just shy of 20 years later is known as one of the show’s most successful artists. With eight GRAMMYs and numerous other high-profile awards as well as more than 85 million records sold globally, Underwood will surely have some sound advice for those beginning their journey.