ABC’s American Idol Season 23 features Carrie Underwood as Katy Perry’s replacement. Underwood won the fourth season of the hit reality singing competition and is excited to step into her new role as a judge. Unfortunately, the country sensation received backlash before the start of season 23 due to her decision to sing at the second inauguration of Donald Trump. Here’s what an insider said about Underwood looking “tense” and “serious” as she filmed American Idol.

Carrie Underwood reportedly looked uncomfortable while filming ‘American Idol’ Season 23

Carrie Underwood is known as one of American Idol’s greatest success stories. Now, she hopes to help others make their dreams come true as a judge in season 23. She will judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and help crown the next winner of the reality singing competition series.

Underwood is no stranger to the camera. However, the backlash she received post-inauguration ceremony might be getting to her. A source told The U.S. Sun that Underwood appeared “tense” and “serious” while filming the show’s Hollywood round. This marked Underwood’s first time being seen in public since her inauguration performance.

Underwood, the other judges, and the competitors filmed the Hollywood round in front of a live audience. The insider noted that the crowd roared with applause as Underwood stepped out. However, “she barely acknowledged the audience who kept chanting her name,” the source alleged. “The fans kept yelling ‘we love Carrie,’ but she wouldn’t even turn around and wave most of the time — though she did a few times.”

The insider said Underwood “rarely danced” during the performances, instead choosing to nod and shuffle.

“She did loosen up a bit by the end, so she could’ve been nervous, especially since it was her first time judging in front of a live audience,” the insider suggested. “But Lionel and Luke both had a lot more energy than Carrie did.”

The country singer’s inner circle allegedly worries she’s taken on too much

Carrie Underwood has a lot on her plate in 2025. She started with a bang by performing at the inauguration, and her time as a judge on American Idol Season 23 will likely come with a learning curve. An insider told Life & Style that Underwood’s inner circle is “questioning if she’s biting off more than she can chew.”

“Being a judge on Idol is going to be such a nerve-wracking experience, that would be enough to handle on its own, but on top of that, she has all kinds of gigs lined up, plus her residency in Las Vegas,” the source noted. “It’s hard to imagine how she’ll pull it all off.”

Fellow judge Luke Bryan said Underwood was surprised by how far the contestants would go for a spot on the show.  “We had a kid [beg], ‘I will work so hard,’ and Carrie was like, ‘I didn’t realize they would do this,’” Bryan said, according to Life & Style. “Carrie’s doing great [though]. We’re having fun. She knows exactly what all the kids are going through.” 

Carrie Underwood plans to stay ‘honest and constructive, but still kind’ as an ‘American Idol’ judge

Carrie Underwood had a game plan heading into American Idol Season 23 as a judge. She told SiriusXM‘s The Highway‘s “Music Row Happy Hour” special what kind of judge she plans to be.

“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” Underwood explained. “And I think that’s the whole point, ’cause people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams. And you’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on. So I think it’s important to be honest, but I think it’s also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all of those together and be a good judge.”

Underwood noted that she considers herself a “versatile” artist, which will aid her. “Hopefully, when I listen to people come and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on in terms of what music I’m thinking,” she added.

American Idol Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.

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