Carrie Underwood is currently filming American Idol with her fellow judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and the show’s longtime host Ryan Seacrest in Oahu, Hawaii.
Underwood was spotted shooting scenes for the singing competition’s upcoming 25th season on Wednesday at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa — months after fans got their first look at her as a judge.
The singer, 41, looked radiant in a flowing, green gown complete with a cape that cascaded over her shoulders and a traditional lei around her neck.
The blonde beauty had flowers tucked behind one ear as she waved to fans and onlookers during the outdoor shoot.
In between takes, Underwood’s makeup artist touched up her makeup and seemingly helped her film content for social media on an iPhone.
Underwood’s time in Hawaii comes nearly one month after her controversial performance-gone-wrong at Donald Trump‘s 2025 Presidential Inauguration.
Carrie Underwood is currently filming American Idol with her fellow judges Lionel Richie , Luke Bryan and the show’s host Ryan Seacrest in Oahu, Hawaii
Underwood was spotted shooting scenes for the singing competition show’s upcoming 25th season on Wednesday at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa
Seacrest, 50, was also seen on-site posing in Hawaii-themed Mickey ears with a traditional Ti Leaf Lei Twist draped over his neck as a nod to the tourist-favorite destination.
Underwood’s exciting new gig as an American Idol judge marks her triumphant return to the series, 20 years after she first appeared on the long-running series.
She is replacing popstar Katy Perry on the judges panel after the Teenage Dream singer resigned to focus on her new music.
Underwood got her start in showbiz after winning the fourth season of American Idol back in 2005 when Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell were still judging the competition.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Jesus Take The Wheel singer took to Instagram to share a side-by-side comparison between her aged 21 performing on the show, and now aged 41 as a judge.
She penned in the caption: ”Then’ as a contestant vs. ‘Now’ as a judge 20 years later! Counting down the days as we’re one month away from the March 9 season premiere of @americanidol on @abc and Stream on @hulu! #CUonIDOL.’
Followers sounded off in the comments with mixed reviews on the star’s return to the series, with some holding her Trump performance against her while others celebrated Underwood’s ‘full circle moment.’
‘Sell out to Autocracy,’ read the top comment on Underwood’s post, while another critic chimed in with: ‘Disappointed no longer listening to your music.’
The singer, 41, looked radiant in a flowing, green gown complete with a cape that cascaded over her shoulders and a traditional lei around her neck
The blonde beauty had flowers tucked behind one ear as she waved to fans and onlookers during the outdoor shoot
In between takes, Underwood filmed content for social media on an iPhone
She also had her makeup touched up at one point
Seacrest, 50, was also seen on-site posing in Hawaii-themed Mickey ears
The longtime American Idol host also wore a traditional Ti Leaf Lei Twist draped over his neck as a nod to the tourist-favorite destination
Meanwhile a support wrote, ‘I’m actually considering watching this season; solely because you’re in it.’
Another Underwood fan penned: ‘What a full circle moment! Can’t wait!’
In December, Underwood dished on her new role and what she expects to bring to the show as a judge.
‘I’ve been a part of this show since I was on the show,’ the blonde told ABC’s On The Red Carpet, referencing her season four win 20 years ago.
‘So for the past twenty years, I’ve been blessed enough to be able to come back and be a part of it, be a mentor [and] perform. This is home,’ she said.
The star also spilled the beans on the high-energy process that led to her becoming a judge.
‘When we started talking about potentially like really being a part of [the show] in this capacity… I was excited,’ she expressed.
‘I’ve been overwhelmingly blessed over the past 20 years to just have a career that I’m so proud of and it started right here.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Jesus Take The Wheel singer took to Instagram to share a side-by-side comparison between her aged 21 performing on the show, and now aged 41 as a judge
American Idol season 25 is set to hit TV screens on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 8 PM ET on ABC; Luke, Lionel, Carrie and Ryan seen in October 2024
‘So for me to get to be a part of that for somebody else, it just makes me really happy. I was a little nervous about critiquing and telling people ‘No’ because it is people’s dreams and I don’t take that lightly at all.’
Back in August, Underwood further rhapsodized her new job as a judge and gave some insight into what the forthcoming season could look like, during a chat with with SiriusXM.
Noting that she has vocal experience in various genres, the star likes to ‘think that I am versatile, and hopefully when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on as far as what kind of music I’m thinking.’
The Grammy winner said: ‘I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind, and I think that’s the whole point.’
Recalling the old days, she noted that ‘people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams, and you’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.’
‘So I think it’s important to be honest but I think it’s also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all of those together and be a good judge.’
American Idol season 25 is set to hit TV screens on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 8 PM ET on ABC. Production and auditions have already begun.