Nearly 20 years later, Carrie Underwood is returning to her American Idol roots to replace Katy Perry on the star-studded judging panel.
The fourth season winner, 41, will return to the ABC singing competition — which aired on Fox when she was crowned in 2005 — for the network’s upcoming eighth season, which premieres August 12, Deadline reports.
She will join returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
The eight-time Grammy winner shared an Instagram video on Thursday confirming the news and featuring several clips from her time on the show, captioning it: “From #AmericanIdol contestant to global icon… to IDOL judge! Homegrown superstar @carrieunderwood will be joining us for season 8!”
Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Meghan Trainor and Pink are also reportedly in talks to replace the “Roar” singer, 39, who announced her impending departure earlier this year.
ABC, which renewed “Idol” in May, brought back Perry, Bryan and Richie in 2018 for its 16th season.
Host Ryan Seacrest congratulated Underwood on her return with a throwback to her original tenure on “Idol.”
“This is a full circle moment from announcing your win at @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judges table,” he wrote. “Welcome home @carrieunderwood!”
In February, Perry announced on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that she would be focusing on music again.
“I think this will probably be my last show, my last season of Idol,” she said at the time. “I love the show so much, but I want to go out and see the world and maybe bring some new music.”
Perry also said she would be willing to come back “if they ever accept me!”
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