Carrie Underwood Responds After Being Booed on ‘American Idol

Carrie Underwood is taking criticism from the American Idol audience in stride—and even having a little fun with it.

After being repeatedly booed during the show’s “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” episodes, the country superstar responded with a playful message on social media.

“Boo me. I don’t care. 😂😜🤪,” Underwood wrote on X on Monday, March 2.

The moment summed up the dynamic that played out throughout several episodes of season 24. During the Hollywood Week round—filmed this year in Nashville—the audience didn’t always agree with Underwood’s judging, and the tension occasionally became part of the show itself.

Hollywood Week Crowd Pushes Back

Throughout the “Music City Takeover” episodes, Underwood’s blunt and detailed critiques sometimes triggered boos from the audience. Rather than shy away from the reaction, she acknowledged it on screen.

“They just like to boo me,” Underwood said in Tuesday’s final “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” episode.

At one point, fellow judge Luke Bryan stepped in to defend her when the crowd grew particularly loud.

“She only won this. She knows,” Bryan told the audience.

Bryan’s comment referenced Underwood’s own history with the show. Long before she joined the judging panel, she won American Idol season 4—an experience that helped launch one of the most successful careers in modern country music.

Even so, the reminder didn’t fully quiet the crowd. Underwood eventually addressed the situation directly, warning the audience not to interfere with the judging.

“You’re not included in the discussions,” she told them.

A Risky Song Choice Sparks More Booing

One of the most memorable moments happened after contestant Mor performed an original song during his audition in the “Music City Takeover” round.

Before offering her critique, Underwood predicted the audience reaction almost perfectly.

“they are going to boo me,” she told Bryan.

Then she addressed the crowd head-on.

“You guys are gonna boo me. You’re gonna boo me,” she said. “It’s coming. Bring it on. I love it! Your boos are feeding me.”

Her criticism focused on strategy rather than talent. In her view, choosing an original song at that stage of the competition wasn’t the best move—especially with a full professional band available.

“In a room like this, for you to bring an original song with that incredible band sitting behind you, twiddling their thumbs, I feel like it was a missed opportunity,” she explained.

Despite the mixed reception to her comments, Mor still advanced in the competition after the judges’ final decision.

Later, Underwood doubled down on her perspective on social media.

“Singing original music is SUCH a gamble at this stage in the competition. Don’t. Waste. The. Band,” she wrote on X. “Mor’s voice and previous audition kept him in. I wanna hear his original music after he’s a big star!”

A Reaction She Saw Coming

Interestingly, Underwood had already hinted that the Hollywood Week audience might not always agree with her judging.

“Spoiler alert…I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience @AmericanIdol,” she tweeted on February 16.

The country singer joined the American Idol judging panel for season 23 alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, stepping in after Katy Perry left the show following seven seasons in 2024.

For Underwood, returning to the show where her career began has been a full-circle moment.

“I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of million of people watching the show,” she said. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since.”

Support From Fellow Idol Champion

Another American Idol winner believes Underwood is exactly the kind of mentor contestants need.

Kelly Clarkson, who won the show’s very first season, praised the decision to bring Underwood onto the judging panel.

“What better person to have — somebody that’s won that show to come back,” Clarkson told E! News in September 2024. “To have gone through it all and then had such a huge career like her, that’s invaluable.”

Clarkson also noted the inspiration contestants can draw from seeing someone who once stood in their shoes.

“What better person to have — somebody that’s won that show to come back,” Clarkson said. “To have somebody to look at and go, ‘OK, they’ve done it and they’re sitting right there. So, that means I am capable of doing it. I can dream that big.’ … I think she’s gonna do great.”

A Career That Speaks for Itself

Since winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood has built one of the most successful careers in country music history.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, she has sold more than 22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles, making her the biggest-selling female country artist of all time.

That experience is exactly what she now brings to the judging table—whether the audience agrees with her or not.

For Underwood, however, the occasional boo seems to be all part of the fun.

American Idol season 24 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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