Carrie Underwood is one of the most beloved American Idol winners. Fans were ecstatic when she joined the reality show as a judge for Season 23. However, her judging on Season 34 has faced major backlash. Viewers thought they spotted tension between the “Before He Cheats” singer and a guest judge. Now, she responded to the rumors of a “catfight.” Keep reading to find out what she had to say about the online speculation.
American Idol Fans Spot Tension Between Judges
Season 24 of American Idol is just days away from announcing a winner. The Season finale airs on Monday, May 11. The last few weeks leading up to the end of the season were packed with high-profile guest judges. Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul returned to the judging panel, as did Season 3 competitor Jennifer Hudson.
But it was comedian Nikki Glaser’s stint as guest judge that had fans talking. The 2026 Golden Globes host joined the singing competition as a guest judge for Taylor Swift night. The remaining contestants did their best to showcase their singing ability. However, viewers couldn’t take their eyes off Carrie Underwood and Nikki Glaser.
Several viewers went online to discuss the alleged tension they saw between the two judges. “I don’t think Carrie Underwood looks happy that Nikki Glaser is there,” one viewer wrote on social media. Another said, “The tension between Carrie and Nikki is KILLING me.”
The speculation of a feud came weeks after Carrie Underwood was shockingly booed by the live audience. Were viewers imagining tension between the two ladies, or was there something to the rumors? Carrie Underwood addressed the rumors directly.
Carrie Underwood Responds To ‘Catfight’ Rumors
Carrie Underwood has been in the public eye since she won American Idol in 2005. She addressed the online hate she received this season and rumors of a feud on Sirius XM’s Highway Mornings with Cody Alan.
“[During] my time on American Idol, you know, we kind of had like message boards and things like that, and it was kind of the beginning of just meanness online,” she said. Carrie Underwood didn’t let it bother her then and she doesn’t now.
She told Cody Allan that it wasn’t surprising for viewers to try to pit her against Nikki Glaser. “I feel like if you have two ladies in the same room together, somebody’s going to try to make something of it,” she said.
However, Carrie Underwood denied having “beef” with the comedian. “I think she did such a great job because it’s not an easy thing to come sit behind that desk and try to think of constructive things to say. And I don’t know, I feel like she did everything wonderfully. But no, there’s no beef. I have no beef,” Carrie Underwood clarified.
Tell us in the comments if you believe the American Idol judge.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
