As a former American Idol winner herself, Carrie Underwood knows better than anyone what it feels like to hear your name called at the end of a life-changing finale. So when Jamal Roberts was crowned the Season 23 champion on Sunday night, May 18, Underwood offered him a message of encouragement — short, simple, and packed with meaning.
“I got to tell him afterwards, I was like, ‘Now go do great things,’” she shared with Extra TV after the show.
It was a fitting message from someone who stood in his shoes nearly 20 years ago. Underwood won Season 4 of American Idol in 2005 and went on to become one of the most successful artists the show has ever produced. This year, she returned not as a guest, but as a first-time judge — bringing her journey full circle.
“Jamal, John [Foster], and Breanna [Nix] — this is who the show is for,” Underwood said. “They all had small followings on Instagram or whatever, but it’s not like they’d been doing this for years. They had raw talent, and the show gave them a platform to dream bigger.”
This season celebrated the 20th anniversary of Underwood’s win, and producers made sure to honor that milestone. In one special moment, Underwood wore the very same dress she wore when she won the show two decades ago. She also performed a powerful duet of “I’m Gonna Love You” with Top 5 finalist Slater Nalley — a performance that brought surprise guest Cody Johnson, her original duet partner, onstage.
As Season 23 wrapped, judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and host Ryan Seacrest bid farewell to one of the most emotional and competitive seasons yet.
Underwood’s debut as a judge followed Katy Perry’s departure from the panel, and fans and producers alike took notice of what she brought to the table. Showrunner and executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick praised Underwood’s impact, calling it a blend of nostalgia, honest critique, and inspiration.
“She really had to carve out her own role,” Wolflick told TVLine. “She was stepping into the shoes of a former judge, but she needed to be her own person — and she definitely did that.”
“She brought constructive feedback, which is very much needed,” she continued. “She knows how hard she was pushed back in her day to become the best, and she’s brought that perspective to the show. I think she’s brought a lot, and I hope people love it.”
So, will Carrie return next season?
While no official word has been given, Wolflick said fans won’t have to wait too long for confirmation. “It’s early days still,” she teased, “but I love our panel. They’re all passionate about the show, and we already have thousands of submissions coming in for next season. The momentum is strong.”
When Underwood first joined as a judge last year, she reflected on how meaningful it was to return in a new role, exactly two decades after she got her big break.
“It feels like home,” she told Good Morning America. “There are so many people still working on the show who were there when I was a contestant. I’ve been on both sides of it now, and I hope I can offer real insight and help.”
And as for what kind of judge she is?
“I can’t lie — you can tell,” she said. “I think I’ll be honest, but hopefully inspiring.”
