Carrie Underwood Leaves American Idol Season 23 Second-Runner Up, Jamal Roberts Wins

Carrie Underwood made a highly-anticipated return as a judge on American Idol’s 33rd season, marking 20 years since her own Idol victory. While she appeared to enjoy the experience and shared glamorous fashion moments throughout the season, she remains noncommittal about returning for another season, weighing the benefits of the lucrative pay against the time away from her family and music career. Underwood faced backlash online for singing along to Whitney Houston's hit during a behind-the-scenes moment, with critics questioning her choice due to her political associations. Despite this, she showed genuine emotion during the finale, notably wiping away tears during a favorite contestant’s performance, revealing her deep investment in the show. Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson, another guest performer on American Idol, discussed feeling vulnerable and nervous about her live return to TV after 15 years, highlighting the show's role as a platform for both established and returning artists. Overall, Underwood's Idol stint has been a mix of nostalgia, emotional investment, and public scrutiny as she considers her future involvement.