Carrie Underwood Reacts To Critics Of Her ‘American Idol’ Judging Style

The country music star defended her feedback to contestants as constructive, adding that she just “wants everybody to be able to grow and get better.”

Concerns were raised about Carrie Underwood when she came under fire following what some fans perceived as her “unhappy” reaction to Jamal Roberts’ emerging as the season 23 winner.

Underwood is standing her ground against critics who have labelled her judging style on “American Idol” as too tough.

The former “Idol” champion appeared in an interview with Sirius XM’s “The Highway” on Wednesday, where she addressed the claims, stating that she offers constructive criticism.

“Sometimes I get in trouble from people like, ‘How dare she say that it wasn’t perfect?'” she said. “And I’m like, I just want everybody to learn, and that’s part of it. And nobody wants to just hear that they’re amazing all the time.”

Underwood then explained that continually praising contestants wouldn’t help them grow, adding that hearing only positive feedback is “not going to get you anywhere.”

“We just want everybody to be able to grow and get better, and be the most awesome version of themselves that they could be,” she explained.

Having won season 4 of “American Idol” in 2005, Underwood joined fellow stars Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judging panel for season 23 in 2025, replacing Katy Perry.

In her interview, she weighed in on the journey so far, noting that being a judge has come with its own challenges, including being her authentic self on camera.

“I’m not great at that, am I?” she said. “In general, I feel like I’m such a private person.”

The 42-year-old multiple Grammy winner explained that she’s getting better at it and has improved over time.

“I’m slightly better than I used to be,” she added. “But I’ve just never been great at putting down the walls and feeling like I could be myself.”

Season 24 of the long-running singing competition will premiere on ABC in January 2026, with Underwood expected to return with her fellow judges.

Before taking on the role of a judge, she explained that she expected to be constructive yet kind in her remarks to contestants.

“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” Underwood told radio personality Buzz Brainard in 2024, per Us Weekly. “And I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”

Underwood is not forgetful of where it all started from, as she credited her rise to fame to “American Idol” in a video announcing her return to the show as a judge last August.

“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” she said. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show, and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since.”

Speculations were rife that Underwood wouldn’t reprise her role for season 24 after the conclusion of last season, which saw Jamal Roberts emerge as the winner.

At the time, a social media user mocked her because she seemingly “wanted country boy to win,” while another said they “see right through her bullsh-t.”

Some even went as far as calling for Underwood to be removed from the show, claiming she did not properly congratulate the winner, Roberts.

Despite the online chatter, show producer Megan Michaels Wolflick heaped praises on Underwood in an interview with TVLine, saying the singer brings a lot to the show, and that the panel is “in a good place.”

At the time, she noted that Underwood “really had to carve out her own role,” and was “stepping into the shoes of a former judge,” but needed to be “her own person, and she definitely did that.”

“I think she brought a nostalgia factor, and I also like that she brought a little criticism and constructive feedback, which is very much needed,” Wolflick continued. “She knows back in her day how hard she was pushed every week to become the best. So I think she’s brought a lot to the show, and I hope people love it.”