Carrie Underwood has found herself at the center of a firestorm following intense backlash from American Idol fans, with some even calling for her removal from the judging panel. As controversy over her critiques — especially those aimed at finalist Jamal Roberts — continues to dominate headlines, the country superstar appears to be retreating from the noise.
This week, Carrie, 42, shared a series of serene photos from what seems to be a secluded compound in the Nashville area. The photos, posted to her Instagram stories, included snapshots of farm animals and a tranquil creek — a sharp contrast to the heated drama brewing on social media and within Idol fandoms. One picture featured a goat with the caption, “Oh hi.” Another showed a quiet lake scene, accompanied by the words, “Jake and I played in the creek yesterday. Found all sorts of things.” She even posted a close-up of a salamander, hinting at a peaceful, nature-filled escape.
But the online world Carrie stepped back from has been anything but peaceful. The backlash stems largely from her pointed critique of Jamal Roberts following his rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” during the Disney-themed Top 5 episode. While fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie gave Jamal a standing ovation, Carrie remained seated and delivered a sharp comment: “I feel like you missed such an opportunity to move around and entertain… Pull us all in not just with your voice but everything else going on.”
Fans immediately took to social media to express their outrage. “She needs to be replaced next year!” one viewer demanded. Others accused Carrie of holding Jamal to a different standard than the other contestants. “Everyone gets to stand still, but he has to move around!! Really?” a commenter questioned. Another added, “You were out of line about Jamal tonight.”
The criticism was swift and widespread, with hashtags calling for her removal gaining traction. Some viewers even questioned her authenticity and accused her of showing favoritism, particularly toward contestant John Foster — whose smoother, more static performances were met with warmth and praise from Underwood.
The backlash has also revived ongoing rumors about Carrie’s status behind the scenes. According to The U.S. Sun, Carrie was reportedly not the network’s first choice to replace Katy Perry on the judging panel this season. An insider revealed that several other A-list artists were approached before the final decision was made, and that “it was not a unanimous decision” among producers.
Further complicating matters, that same report claims the Idol production team believes Carrie’s influence is actually harming the show’s legacy. The show has seen a ratings boost recently — climbing past 5 million viewers — but fan discontent with her presence on the panel continues to simmer.
For now, Carrie seems content to distance herself from the drama and focus on family, nature, and quiet moments — even as her role on American Idol remains uncertain heading into the finale on May 18. Whether her judging stint continues beyond this season or ends as a one-time experiment may ultimately depend on whether the show values ratings more than reputation — and whether the public outcry fades or grows louder.
