Despite controversy surrounding Carrie Underwood’s debut season as a judge on American Idol, the show’s ratings have continued to soar — a clear sign that audience interest remains strong heading into the Season 23 finale.
Ratings Surge Amid Backlash
Carrie Underwood, 42, who replaced Katy Perry for the 2025 season, has faced ongoing criticism from fans. Many have called for her to be replaced following what they labeled as “harsh” and “unfair” critiques, especially of finalist Jamal Roberts during the Disney-themed episode. Nevertheless, the show’s recent episodes have seen some of the highest viewership numbers this season:
- May 11 (Top 5 to Top 3 episode): 5.27 million viewers
- May 12 episode: 4.45 million viewers
This surge rivals the season premiere’s ratings of 5.9 million viewers, proving that controversy may be fueling, not hurting, the show’s performance.
The Carrie Controversy
Much of the fan backlash centers around Underwood’s comments to Jamal Roberts, who performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” While Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan gave him a standing ovation, Carrie stayed seated and criticized him for not moving enough during his performance, saying:
“We are getting close to the end here. It is time to pull out all the stops… Pull us all in not just with your voice but everything else going on.”
Fans erupted on social media, accusing her of holding Jamal to a different standard compared to other contestants like John Foster, who remained seated during a recent performance.
Comments ranged from:
- “You were out of line about Jamal tonight… Really?”
- “Your comment was not fair. Breanna stands still. John stands still.”
- “She needs to be replaced next year!”
Behind-the-Scenes Frustration
According to The U.S. Sun, it’s not just fans who are questioning Underwood’s fit on the panel. Sources claim that:
- Some staffers feel her influence is “ruining the show’s legacy,” especially after she allegedly pushed for a faith-based Easter episode, which sparked internal disagreement.
- ABC initially approached other pop and country stars before selecting Underwood, and her hiring was not a unanimous decision.
Still a Ratings Powerhouse
Despite the uproar, Carrie’s presence hasn’t hurt the numbers — if anything, the drama seems to have drawn more attention. With the Top 3 finalists—Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and Slater Nalley—heading into the finale on Sunday, interest is at a season high.
Ryan Seacrest recently joked that Carrie is his pick to win, a nod to their long history, as she’s one of Idol’s most successful alums. Whether she returns next season is unclear, but for now, American Idol is undeniably thriving.
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