Carrie Underwood Near Exit From ‘American Idol,’ Sets New Rules

Carrie Underwood’s return to American Idol almost didn’t happen. Behind the polished performances, prime-time smiles, and familiar judging panel, the country superstar was quietly wrestling with whether she wanted to continue on the ABC hit at all.

Insiders now say the pressure of her first season as a judge pushed her closer to the exit than fans ever realized — forcing producers to make sweeping changes just to keep her.

For viewers, Underwood’s debut at the judges’ table last season felt like a full-circle moment. For Underwood herself, it came with a heavier emotional toll than expected.

A Tough First Season Behind the Scenes

Last season marked Carrie’s first time judging American Idol, and while many fans appreciated what she brought to the show, insiders say the adjustment wasn’t easy.

A production source told The U.S. Sun that Carrie “struggled” throughout the season — not only with the workload, but with relentless public scrutiny. Viewers criticized her appearance episode after episode, dissected her wardrobe choices, and reacted harshly online.

On top of that, the filming schedule pulled her away from her family for long stretches — something she hadn’t anticipated being quite so difficult.

“There were talks she wanted to quit and not come back when the noise got too loud,” one insider revealed. “They wanted to make sure she felt more comfortable on set this year.”

The backlash reportedly intensified after Carrie performed at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, which placed her squarely at the center of political and cultural debate just as the new season aired.

“She had a hard time dealing with all the backlash and viewer reaction from last season,” another source explained.

“The noise from the fans was so much louder than she was prepared for and that got to her.”

Major Format Changes — With Carrie in Mind

Faced with the possibility of losing one of the franchise’s most iconic winners, producers stepped in.

“There’s been a lot of switch-ups into how they’re making this season,” a production insider shared.

“The Hollywood Week was taken out completely to lessen the amount of time Carrie and the judges filmed in Los Angeles.”

Instead, filming was shifted to Nashville — a move that made sense both creatively and personally.

“And because it’s her home base and such a good city for music, they filmed in Nashville.”

The show also expanded its time in Hawaii, extending production at Disney’s Aulani resort in Oahu longer than in previous seasons. More importantly, Carrie was allowed to bring her entire family along.

“They wanted to make sure she felt more comfortable on set this year. So they filmed more in Nashville, and they allowed her to bring her whole family to Hawaii,” the insider added.

As one source put it plainly:

“A big part of why they changed up the format was to accommodate the judges’ wants more, specifically Carrie.”

Why Producers Couldn’t Afford to Lose Her

Carrie Underwood isn’t just another judge — she’s American Idol royalty.

The season 4 champion, now a multi-platinum artist and eight-time Grammy winner, carries the legacy of the show in a way few others can. Losing her after just one season would have been a major blow.

“Ultimately, producers did ‘everything possible’ to keep her happy,” a source told The U.S. Sun.

“They couldn’t afford to lose her.”

Showrunner and executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick previously hinted at changes to the show’s format and publicly praised Underwood’s commitment, saying the singer “is only going to get better. She works her butt off on this show. I’m so proud.”

Returning — This Time on Her Terms

With the changes in place, Carrie agreed to return — but insiders say this season looks different because it had to be.

What viewers will see on screen is a more comfortable, supported judge — one whose personal boundaries were finally taken seriously.

Carrie returns alongside fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest once again hosting.

American Idol season 24 premieres Monday, January 26, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Behind the scenes, though, one thing is clear: Carrie Underwood’s seat at the judges’ table came at a cost — and this time, the show adjusted to her, not the other way around.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Carrie Underwood now. Come back here often for Carrie Underwood’s spoilers, news, and updates.