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Carrie Underwood, celebrated winner of the fourth season of American Idol, recently reflected on her 2005 journey through the iconic singing competition, sharing what she would alter if she had the chance to revisit that pivotal time. Since clinching the title, Underwood has ascended to phenomenal heights in the music industry, establishing herself as a country music powerhouse and international star. By the time she joined the American Idol judging panel in its 23rd season in 2025, her accolades included 85 million records sold globally, 28 chart-topping singles, 8 Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and 7 CMA Awards.
During her stint on American Idol season 4, Carrie never faced the threat of elimination, consistently avoiding the bottom 2 or 3 positions. Her standout performance of “Alone” by Heart earned her high praise, with the show’s famously tough judge, Simon Cowell, boldly predicting her victory and forecasting that she would surpass all previous winners in record sales.
Underwood’s remarkable success story makes her an ideal addition to the judging panel, stepping into Katy Perry’s role alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Richie and Bryan have been stalwarts on the show since its revival by ABC in 2018, following its cancellation by FOX in 2016.
Carrie is one of American Idol’s biggest success stories, so she was the perfect person to take Katy Perry’s seat at the judges’ table alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who’ve served on the panel since ABC revived the show in 2018 after its 2016 cancellation by FOX.
Carrie Underwood Reveals Her American Idol Season 4 Regret
In an interview with Billboard, Carrie was asked the one thing taht she would change from her entire time on American Idol. She expressed regret that she didn’t document her season 4 experience more. Carrie explained, “I’m very angry with myself because when I was on the show, I wasn’t taking any pictures. I’m thinking, ‘Why? Why didn’t you do that? Why didn’t you save these things?’.”
A Carrie Fan Acquired One Of Her American Idol Mementos
Carrie went on to say that one of her fans now owns one of her American Idol season 4 mementos. She stated, “We had a girl come in that had a pair of jeans that I wore on the show, and she told me, ‘My grandpa bought these at a charity auction and I wore them on the show,’ and I asked, ‘Can I buy them back from you?’ Why did I let them go? Why didn’t I keep more things and just document things a little better?’.”
Although Carrie has some regrets about not keeping more things from her American Idol season 4 experience and not taking pictures, it’s understandable that she was most likely caught up in the moment and not thinking about how she’d feel about it twenty years later. However, Carrie did keep a journal during the show, which she read from during her 2025 American Idol YouTube companion series, Idol to Icon. The journal contains her priceless memories.
In addition, phone cameras weren’t as common in 2005 as they are today, so Carrie would’ve had to have carried a traditional camera with her at all times to document special moments. Luckily for her, so much of her journey was preserved by American Idol itself, so she can now look back on the show and relive her experience. For her fans, Carrie’s American Idol season 4 win is something that they’ll always remember.
American Idol airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: Billboard
- Release Date
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2002 – 2016-00-00
- Network
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ABC
- Showrunner
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Nigel Lythgoe
- Directors
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Ken Warwick
- Franchise(s)
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American Idol