Since 2002, American Idol has been giving singing hopefuls the prospect to shine and present the nation what they’re able to. Now in its 23rd season on the 2025 TV schedule, the sequence continues to take action. With Carrie Underwood returning to her outdated stomping grounds to assist discover the following American Idol, she revealed the candy memento she’s had since her first run on Idol, and I completely adore it.
Underwood competed in Season 4 again in 2005 and has gone on to be probably the most well-known contestants from the singing competitors. Earlier than changing into a decide on the present season, she’s returned to the present just a few occasions to carry out or assist contestants. Regardless of her eight Grammys, the “Cry Fairly” singer has by no means forgotten the place she got here from, and it helps that she even has a chunk of her audition all the time along with her. Whereas showing on The Tonight Present along with her fellow judges, Underwood shared the souvenir she’s had for 20 years, and it’s every thing:
I nonetheless have that sticker someplace. It’s, like, on the surface of somewhat picture e book I made.
The truth that Underwood had saved the sticker from her audition and doubtless tucked it away someplace all through her time on American Idol is one factor, however protecting it in spite of everything these years, understanding how a lot has modified since then, is fairly unbelievable. For Underwood when trying again at the moment, whether or not it’s trying by way of the picture e book she has or watching again when she received, it’s nonetheless arduous for her to understand:
I imply, I used to be a child. I used to be 21 years outdated on this picture, and lots occurred within the present. Like, it was loopy. Small city lady and I needed to get on a airplane on my own and fly out to L.A., and it was nuts.
It appears becoming that Underwood is returning to American Idol as a decide 20 years after she received. There actually is nobody higher to assist discover the following winner than somebody who has been by way of it and got here out on high. It’s why it was so nice seeing Idol’s first winner, Kelly Clarkson, being a coach on The Voice, as she quite a lot of occasions introduced up the truth that she “navigated” an identical competitors.
After all, returning to American Idol is nostalgic for Carrie Underwood, particularly with regards to returning to venues the place she did American Idol. That being stated, being a decide just isn’t all it’s cracked as much as be since Underwood is now the one judging relatively than being judged and actually has to place in her two cents. But when anybody is aware of what it takes to be on Idol, it’s positively her, however at the least she will be able to present an fascinating perspective for the contestants.
As American Idol continues Season 23, there’ll absolutely be extra nostalgic moments for Underwood and for longtime followers. Maybe some contestants will even preserve their very own mementos to look again on 20 years from now since you by no means know what may occur on American Idol. It must be enjoyable seeing who’s the following winner in just a few months. New episodes air on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, streaming the following day with a Hulu subscription.