American Idol season 23 Carrie Underwood wore a special shade of pink when she debuted as a judge, and it has special meaning because it was the same color she wore during her time. American Idol the season 4 audition that started it all. Carrie Underwood joined American Idol season 23 judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, after Katy Perry left the series after seven seasons. Katy, Lionel and Luke were the original judges when ABC revived the show in 2018 after FOX canceled it in 2016.
Carrie is uniquely qualified American Idol season 23 judge because he won American Idol season 4 in 2005. Since then, he has become one of the show’s most successful winners and a global superstar who has dominated the country music genre for the past two decades. Even though Carrie has reached superstardom, she never forgets where she got her start American Idoland she paid sweet tribute to it with her choice of attire when she made her judging debut.
Carrie wore a pink shirt to the American Idol season 4 audition
Carrie’s pink shirt is now legendary
During Carrie American Idol season 4 exam (split through Steff Ideker on YouTube), she was wearing a hot pink shirt with a lacy white top and jeans underneath. She sang an incredible a cappella version of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Before she started singing, she admitted she was nervous because she thought judge Simon Cowell was intimidating. When she finished singing, Simon told her that her audition was very good, and Randy Jackson agreed that she had a great voice.
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When Randy asked her who her favorite singer was, Carrie answered Martina McBride, and Randy told her he could hear it in her voice. She then showed off her personality as she clucked like a chicken when Simon asked her about her hidden talent. Simon then said he was surprised they hadn’t found a good country singer American Idol yet. Carrie got three yes votes from Simon, Randy and Paula Abdul and a golden ticket to Hollywood. American Idol fans will always remember Carrie singing so beautifully in that pink shirt.
Carrie Underwood wore the same shade of pink when she debuted on American Idol season 23
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In an Instagram post American Idol shared a promo for Season 23, which featured Carrie’s series debut. The promo began with footage of Carrie waiting to enter her audition in Season 4 as a contestant, and then Carrie entered the audition room for the first time in Season 23 as a judge. Carrie wore the dress in the exact same shade of pink she wore to her audition two decades ago. His hit song “See You Again” plays in the background throughout the circle.
Carrie said in the promo that she couldn’t believe that twenty years ago she was standing on stage just like the one she was watching as a judge.. He became emotional as he thought about his audition and how far he had come. Carrie’s pink outfit was a special tribute to her American Idol season 4 audition that led to her well-deserved victory, and it was a truly beautiful moment.
Carrie’s fans were emotional about her transition from contestant to judge
Carrie’s fans immediately noticed the connection between her two pink outfitsand they wrote emotional messages in the comments section of the page American Idol by mail, wondering how quickly twenty years had passed and how much they loved him. One fan said: “The fact that she’s wearing the same color just makes it more special and emotional.” Another wrote, “The exact same shade of pink.” A third fan said: “I love that you’re wearing the exact same hot pink that you walked in on the first day.”
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Carrie has always given American Idol thanks for starting his remarkable career. It’s great that she’s now paid homage to her younger self with her audition by wearing the same shade of hot pink for her judging debut as she did on that gorgeous day. American Idol season 23 is going to be very special because of Carrie.
American Idol Season 23 premieres Sunday, March 9, 2025 on ABC.
Sources: SteffIdeker/YouTube, American Idol/Instagram