'American Idol' fans say Carrie Underwood is 'way better than Katy Perry' as she returns to show as judge

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'American Idol' kicked off Season 23 on Sunday, March 9, with a glorious return of country music superstar Carrie Underwood, who originally won the ABC singing competition in 2005. 

With 85 million records sold and eight Grammys to her name, the 'Inside Your Heaven' crooner joined Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judging panel, replacing Katy Perry.

Fans were ecstatic to see her back and praised her deep music knowledge and emotional responses during auditions. Many expressed that Underwood brought fresh energy to the show, even outshining her predecessor, with excitement building for her future seasons as a judge. 

Carrie Underwood got emotional as a contestant sang her hit track 'Jesus, Take the Wheel'

Sunday’s two-hour premiere featured auditions from Carrie Underwood's hometown of Nashville and Los Angeles.

During the auditions, Underwood jokingly told her fellow judges that she wasn't a crier, though Bryan admitted he had a similar belief when they first started but had since been proven wrong by the emotional moments on the show.

"I  thought I wasn't a crier, eight years ago when we started this, but this show will turn you into a crier," Bryan confessed.

Underwood quickly proved herself wrong when 25-year-old contestant Breanna Nix, accompanied by her husband, Austin, and their son, Emerson, took the stage.

During Breanna's audition, Underwood held the baby while the stay-at-home mom sang the country star's 2005 hit, 'Jesus, Take the Wheel', a moment that moved the judge to tears.

Beyond her emotional reactions, Underwood impressed the panel with her extensive knowledge of music, effortlessly recalling lyrics to songs across various genres. During a rare heavy metal audition from a young Florida band called Insite, she even stepped up to the stage and belted out the 2001 Drowning Pool song, 'Bodies', as per the Daily Mail. 

Carrie Underwood earns praise from 'American Idol' fans for her judging skills

Carrie Underwood's fans as well as 'American Idol' viewers were impressed by her judging skills and passion for the singing competition. 

One wrote, "Carrie, you are a natural at this. You did such a great job. Hope you’re here for at least a few seasons. @AmericanIdol #AmericanIdol There are so many great contestants this year!!!"

Another said, "Watching @carrieunderwood as a judge on @AmericanIdol is so special for me… thank you for 20 years of comfort, Carrie."

"Such a powerful first episode of #AmericanIdol @carrieunderwood You were simply AMAZING!!! Welcome home! @LionelRichie @lukebryan ❤️you guys!!" a fan expressed. 

"That was the best episode of American Idol I have seen in a long time. Welcome @carrieunderwood," one more gushed.

Another person wrote, "@carrieunderwood new judge ratings after tonights 2-week premiere- Likability 10/10 Been there done that 10/10 Good with kids 10/10 Street cred 9/10 Style 10/10 Real emotion shared 9/10 Tough advice 8/10 KORN song 100/10."

"Carrie Underwood rocked it as American Idol judge tonight! Loved her energy and insight she brings to the show. Can't wait to see more of her on Idol this season!" read another comment. 

"Jukebox Carrie Underwood is way better than Katy Perry sorry not sorry," a fan declared, and one more echoed, "Carrie is so much better than Katy Perry."

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