American Idolseason 23 will welcome Carrie Underwood to the judging panel, andan unnamed source claims that she’ll be making significantly less money than Katy Perry, whose seat she’ll be taking. Katy leftAmerican Idolafter seven seasons as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie in order to focus on her own music career. NowAmerican Idolseason 4 winner and country music superstar Carrie will take her place as a judge.
Since winningAmerican Idolin 2005, Carrie has become one of the most successful champions in the history of the show, and a global sensation. She’s sold 85 million records worldwide and released 28 number one hits, among her many other phenomenal accomplishments. Carrie is one of the most belovedAmerican Idolwinners of all-time, and she’s being welcomed back to the show as a judge with open arms. Carrie’sAmerican Idolseason 23salary has been a mystery, but now an unnamed source claims to know how much money she’ll be bringing home,which could create a possible scandal.
What Did The Source Claim About Katy Perry’s American Idol Salary?
Katy Made An Astronomical Amount Of Money As An American Idol Judge
The US Sunclaims that it’s been reported thatKaty’sAmerican Idolsalary was upwards of $25 million per season. This was supposedly more than double what Lionel and Luke were making as judges. This is an interesting claim considering that Katy, Lionel, and Luke are all superstars, and it seems strange that Katy made double Lionel and Luke’s salaries. However, it could also explain whyAmerican Idolwas willing to let Katy go.
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If this source’s information is true,American Idolwill now be saving a lot of money with Katy’s exit. She was a great asset to the show with her outrageous antics and her kindness and support towards the contestants, but she wanted to leave to shift her focus back to her own music career.American Idoldidn’t seem to put up much of a fightto convince her to stay, and her salary could be why.
Did Carrie Underwood Sign A Long-Term Contract With American Idol?
Carrie’s Salary Is Much Less Than Katy’s
ForAmerican Idolseason 23,Carrie will allegedly have a salary that is closer to what Lionel and Luke bring home every season, which is in the $10-12 million range. A source toldThe US Sun,“For her first year, Carrie is making substantially less than Katy.“The source continued,“Carrie’s salary is in the $10-12 million range, so less than half of what Katy was getting. Depending on Carrie’s performance and how she’s responded to by the viewers, there is room to boost that number up if she were to return next year.”
Carrie’sAmerican Idolreturnand her transition from a contestant to a judge has created a lot of buzz for the show. It’ll be thrilling to see Carrie come back to the show after twenty years, so the response from viewers will most likely be very positive. IfAmerican Idolhas to negotiate Carrie’s contract for season 24,it’s highly possible that Carrie could ask for more money because she will almost definitely help boost the ratings of the show. Carrie most likely knows that her salary is less than half of Katy’s, which could create a possible scandal if she decides that this isn’t acceptable to her.
The source also claimed that Carrie has only signed a one-yearAmerican Idolcontract, so she’s"not obligated"to come back if the show returns for season 24. However, the insider added that if"everything continues to go how it’s been,“American Idolwill"want Carrie back, no question.“It’s not surprising thatAmerican Idolwants Carrie to remain on the series, especially because they’ve been focusing so much on her return to the show. However, the question will be if Carrie is willing to accept that salary in the long-term.
Will Carrie Underwood Stay On American Idol As A Judge?
Carrie Will Have To Decide If The Show Is Worth Her While
If Carrie really has signed only a one-year contract withAmerican Idol,it’ll be intriguing to see if she decides to continue with the show after season 23. On the one hand,Carrie has spoken a lot about returning home toAmerican Idolafter twenty years, and how it’s a full-circle moment for her. She was the perfect choice to replace Katy because she’s experienced being a contestant who won, so she knows exactly what it takes to be successful on the show. Carrie loves show and always gives it credit for beginning her amazing career.
Carrie is a mom to sons Isaiah, 9, and Jacob, 5, so she might want to have a more stable job for a while. Katy often talked about howAmerican Idolwas the perfect job for her, as a mom to her daughter, Daisy Dove, 4. Katy gave birth to Daisy while she was a judge on the show, and she often discussed how the show’s schedule was ideal for her as a mom.If Carrie is looking to stay in one place for a bit,American Idolcould be a wonderful job choice for her for the foreseeable future.
However, it’s also possible thatCarrie might not stay forAmerican Idolseason 24. HerReflectionLas Vegas residency ends on April 12, which is presumably before theAmerican Idolseason 23 live episodes will begin. The audition, Hollywood Week, and early voting episodes are pre-taped, which would allowCarrie the freedom to do other thingsuntil the live episodes, which air every Sunday.
I Met Carrie Underwood & My Experience Confirms The Type Of American Idol Judge She Will Be
American Idol season 23 will welcome season 4 winner Carrie Underwood as a judge following Katy Perry’s exit from the show after seven seasons.
It’s possible that Carrie will miss being in the studio recording music and on tour supporting it with live concerts, and she’ll want to go back to that after being anAmerican Idoljudge. Carrie’s ninth studio album,Denim & Rhinestones, was released in 2022, so she might want to record a new one sooner rather than later.Carrie will have to decide ifAmerican Idolis worth her while, and if the salary is high enough to keep her on the show. However, in the past two decades, Carrie has accumulated an incredible amount of net worth, so she certainly doesn’t need the money.
Carrie’s rumoredAmerican Idolsalaryis surprising considering that she’s such a huge star, butwhat’s even more shocking is the fact that she might be making only half the amount that Katy did when she was a judge on the show. It’s also astonishing that Katy’s salary might’ve been double what Lionel and Luke bring home.
It’ll be good for Carrie if her salary is the same as Lionel’s and Luke’s, because they’ve been with the show for eight seasons now, and they might’ve resented Carrie if she made more money than them. If Carrie really did sign only a one-year contract, then there are pros and cons for her staying withAmerican Idolin the future.For now, Carrie will be a bright light onAmerican Idolseason 23.
American Idolseason 23 premieres on Sunday, August 21, 2025, on ABC.
American Idol
Cast
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international “Idol” brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a panel of judges that would determine whether or not they’d go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
