American Idol fans got their first real glimpse of Carrie Underwood as Katy Perry’s replacement during the American Idol audition special that aired on the 2025 TV schedule after the Academy Award winners were announced Sunday night,

American Idol judge Carrie Underwood broke down in tears and admitted, "I'm not okay," during an emotional performance by a contestant. The 41-year-old country artist, who rose to fame after winning the singing competition in 2005,

The "Before He Cheats" singer is taking over for Katy Perry, who revealed she was leaving the show to focus on music. Underwood, an "American Idol" alum, returns to the show about 20 years after she won the competitive singing competition.