Carrie Underwood shared a sentimental nod to the beginning of her American Idol journey on Wednesday (December 18).

The eight-time Grammy Award winner took a breath as she sat outside the audition room two decades ago. Underwood, admitting she was “a little bit” nervous, walked into the room in jeans and a pink shirt as then-judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson welcomed her to Hollywood. Two decades later, Underwood grinned as she walked into an American Idol audition room again, wearing a dress that matches the pink top she wore in the early 2000s, this time from a new point of view.

Underwood confirmed earlier this year she would return to the show in 2025 — 20 years after the 2005 victory that launched her career — as a judge, following Katy Perry’s departure. The Denim & Rhinestones artist joins returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, and reunites with longtime Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

“I can’t believe it,” Underwood said in a clip shared on Instagram on Wednesday. “Twenty years ago, I was standing on a stage just like this one.”

“And now you’re sitting here with us,” Richie replied. Bryan said “that’s the power of American Idol.”

Underwood, from Checotah, Oklahoma, released her 14-track debut album months after her Idol win in 2005. Some Hearts included the title track, “Wasted,” “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” “Before He Cheats,” “Inside Your Heaven” and more. She’s gone on to release Carnival Ride, Blown Away, Play On, Storyteller, Cry Pretty, Denim & Rhinestones, holiday music, a gospel album and more. Underwood has been performing her career-spanning hits on the road and in her powerful Las Vegas residency, which comes to an end this spring.

American Idol fans can watch a preview of the new season with Underwood after the Oscars, which will air at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC on March 2. The new season of American Idol will premiere on March 9 on ABC, and will be available the following day on Hulu.

Jay "Canary" Cantu

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