Prepare to shed some heartfelt tears alongside Carrie Underwood as she gracefully ascends to the judges' panel in an exclusive E! News sneak peek into the 23rd season of ABC's beloved reality singing competition, American Idol. The season four winner of American Idol finally takes her rightful seat, ready to inspire and critique.
"This show caters to individuals who possess a divine talent and harbor an unyielding dream," expresses the soulful crooner of "Cry Pretty" in the captivating new promo. "All they seek is an opportunity to shine."
It isn't long before Underwood's heartstrings are tugged at by a contestant's poignant life narrative during the auditions. The hopeful, sharing his story with Underwood, fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, reveals, "My grandparents nurtured me since I was two years old. She poured her heart and soul into me throughout the years."
The camera then cuts to Underwood, tears streaming down her face, her nose daintily blowing into a tissue. When Bryan playfully inquires, "Are you alright over there?", the emotional Underwood, through her tears, admits, "I'm not," prompting Bryan to envelop her in a warm, comforting embrace.
Despite the overflow of feelings, the male singer's vocal prowess undeniably impresses the trio of judges. Richie, addressing the contestant, exclaims, "Your voice deserves to be heard!"随后，Underwood, Richie, and Bryan, in unison, shout, "You're heading to Hollywood!"
Countless other aspiring talents also yearn for their moment to shine, hoping to secure a golden ticket with their auditions. One contestant confesses, "I've wanted this since I was a child," while another expresses, "I'm ready for my life to take a transformative turn."
The sneak peek hints at many more tears of joy ahead, both from the judges and the contestants. Richie wisely notes, "There are hidden gems within each individual."
Catch the emotional preview of Underwood's judging debut above. As for her sentiments about returning to Idol as a mentor, two decades after her own victory, Underwood teases, "I believe I can be honest and constructive, yet kind-hearted. And I think that's the essence of it all, because these are dreams in the making. From that very moment, you become an integral part of someone's journey."
Furthermore, Underwood has already garnered her predecessor's seal of approval. Perry told People in January, "She was destined for greatness on that show. She genuinely understands the struggles and triumphs. As artists, we've walked in their shoes to some extent, but she has lived and breathed it every day. Hence, I'm confident she has invaluable insights to share with those willing to listen."
American Idol kicks off on Sunday, March 9, at 8 p.m. on ABC, promising a season filled with music, dreams, and heartfelt emotions.
