Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan from American Idol (Photo credit: Disney/Gizelle Hernandez)

Season 23 Of American Idol Kicked Off On Sunday, March 9

Carrie Underwood joined Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan behind the judges’ table for Season 23. The Season 4 champion was announced as a judge on August 1, 2024, and her homecoming has been the focal point of this season, seeing as it will be 20 years since her crowning moment.

Host Ryan Seacrest couldn’t help but talk about the nostalgia when she was first announced as a judge.

“It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table. Welcome home, @carrieunderwood!” he wrote on Instagram, alongside several photos of them throughout the years.

The first episode of Season 23 aired on March 9 and showed America why Underwood was brought back as a judge. She showed compassion, excitement, and so much more as a judge and overall, it seemed like everyone loved her being added to the judging panel!

She even got up and sang a heavy metal song with a contestant!

American Idol is a big commitment, so what does each judge (and host) take home for their work on the show?

In the past, Idol signed some big paychecks, with Mariah Carey taking home $18 million for her one and only season, and Jennifer Lopez cashing $17.5 million when she was a judge. Keith Urban took home $8 million a season during his tenure.

Luke Bryan

AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” stars Luke Bryan. (Disney/Gizelle Hernandez)

According to a report from Life & Style, The “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” singer takes home $12 million a season. Bryan still does well for himself with touring, releasing music, and his many other business ventures.

Lionel Richie

AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” stars Lionel Richie. (Disney/Gizelle Hernandez)

The Commodores singer signed on the be an Idol judge since it was rebooted by ABC in 2018. He currently rakes in a salary of $10 million a season.

Carrie Underwood

AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” stars Carrie Underwood. (Disney/Gizelle Hernandez)

Underwood took a massive pay cut from Katy Perry’s $25 million a season salary. It’s been reported that Underwood’s salary is “around $12.5 million,” making her the highest paid judge on the show.

Ryan Seacrest

AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” stars Ryan Seacrest. (Disney/Gizelle Hernandez)

The longtime host of Idol also makes a pretty penny at $12 million a season. He has been hosting the show since its inception, and has other gigs like his iconic morning radio show, and hosting Wheel Of Fortune.

American Idol airs on Sundays at 8/7c. 

Play Idol
on Apple Music