Carrie Underwood Returns as American Idol Judge

Carrie Underwood, who gained fame as the winner of 'American Idol' in 2005, has returned to the show as a judge for its 23rd season, joining Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Her recent performance at former President Trump's inauguration, where she sang 'America the Beautiful' a cappella due to technical issues, has been both praised and criticized. Despite some controversy over her more reserved judging style compared to her predecessor Katy Perry, showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick and host Ryan Seacrest have expressed strong support for Underwood. Her return coincides with discussions about her substantial earnings and net worth, estimated at around $120 million, and her decision to accept a reduced salary of $12.5 million per season. Underwood's journey from contestant to judge showcases her enduring influence in the music industry. Meanwhile, her debut as a judge was overshadowed by social media commentary on her appearance, particularly her lips.