American Idol season 23 has come to an end, and fans are ecstatic about the show returning for season 24 in 2026. But rumors are swirling about which judges will return to the show… particularly one fans are just starting to get to know better.

Back in August 2024, news broke that season 4 winner Carrie Underwood would make her debut as a judge on the ABC competition series. As a new face on American Idol season 23, viewers enjoyed seeing her dynamic with her fellow mentors Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. What’s more, folks got to see Carrie take a trip down memory lane as she looked back at performances that cemented her career in the music industry.

But since this is the first time a former winner joined the judges’ panel, it brings up an interesting question about the show’s future: Is Carrie Underwood returning to American Idol as a judge for season 24? As it turns out, there are already some clues to the answer.

When Carrie spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the possibility of her American Idol return, she kept things pretty vague.

“I don’t know!” she told the outlet after the finale on May 18. “There’s lots to contemplate.”

But that’s not all. When showrunner and executive producer Megan Michaels addressed American Idol season 24 with TV Line, she noted Carrie really took the reigns when it came to her new role.

“[Carrie] really had to carve out her own role,” she said to the publication. “She was stepping into the shoes of a former judge, but she 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. 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.”

While this doesn’t necessarily confirm Carrie coming back to American Idol as a judge, this is definitely an interesting take on her first season! And even though we have high hopes for her return, we certainly will support Carrie on whatever decision she chooses to make about her future.