"American Idol" is bringing back a former SUPERSTAR to replace Katy Perry on the judging panel . . . and sadly, it isn't Sanjaya.
Word has it that Carrie Underwood is joining "Idol" as a judge next season, which is not only a HUGE score . . . it also means the show it getting even more country because Luke Bryan will be back, in addition to Lionel Ritchie.
As you're probably well aware, Carrie won Season Four of "Idol" way back in 2005. She was 21 at the time, and was a front-runner throughout. That was the year with the two rockers Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis.
The upcoming season, Season 23, will air next spring . . . meaning it will be the 20th anniversary of Carrie's star being born, if you can believe it. (Technically, Carrie hasn't confirmed the "Idol" gig, but that could happen TODAY.)
If you're wondering WHY Carrie is doing "Idol", it neatly fits into her career right now. She's been pulling back from the road to focus on her Las Vegas residency, which she just extended into next spring.
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