Carrie Underwood Expresses Anxiety as 'American Idol' Judge

Carrie Underwood, now a judge on American Idol, has spoken candidly about the challenges and emotional toll of making decisions that affect contestants' futures, particularly when serving as the deciding vote for wildcard spots. She expressed a strong preference for letting America vote, highlighting the difficulty and anxiety that comes with her new judging role, even stating that the show's theme song still gives her 'anxiety' due to memories from her own time as a contestant. Fellow judges initially worried Underwood would be too kind to deliver tough critiques, but they have praised her compassion and the new dynamic she brings to the panel. Underwood's empathetic approach has been well received, and she has emphasized the importance of the audience's participation in determining the show's outcomes.