Carrie Underwood has been utterly captivated by her experience as a judge on *American Idol*. Despite facing some backlash for being perceived as overly critical in her assessments, Carrie firmly believes that her candid remarks stem from a place of goodwill. “Sometimes I catch heat from people saying, ‘How dare she claim it wasn't perfect?’” the 42-year-old star revealed during an interview on SiriusXM’s *The Highway* on September 24. “But honestly, I just want everyone to learn and grow—that's the whole point. Nobody truly benefits from being told they're amazing all the time.” While she chuckled, acknowledging that “maybe some people do crave that,” the “Before He Cheats” singer emphasized that unrelenting praise “won’t actually take you anywhere.”
As Carrie—who shares sons Isaiah, 10, and Jacob, 6, with husband Mike Fisher—explained, she and her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, approach their roles with a deeply constructive mindset. “We genuinely want everyone to evolve, improve, and become the absolute best versions of themselves,” she continued.
Beyond the criticism she’s faced, stepping into the judge’s seat has presented Carrie with another formidable challenge: being authentically herself on camera. “I’m not exactly great at that, am I?” she joked with self-awareness. “Overall, I feel like I’m such a private person.” While this aspect has gradually become easier for her over the past two decades, she admitted, “I’m slightly better than I used to be, but I’ve just never been one to easily lower my guard and feel comfortable being myself.”
However, returning to *Idol* has helped her navigate this hurdle, thanks in part to the familiar faces from her own time as a contestant. Their presence made the set feel “like a safe space,” she reflected. Plus, she cherishes the opportunity to play a role in turning dreams into reality. “Seeing these hopefuls, these contestants, step into the very same shoes I once wore,” she beamed, “it’s just such an incredible feeling to be part of that journey.”
