Movies

Carrie Underwood returns to ‘American Idol’ in the TikTok era. Can it still thrive?

BBG News

In July last year, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood unexpectedly crossed paths backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, a well-trodden venue for these two accomplished country artists who boast over 50 chart-topping hits collectively. They were both participating in a musical tribute honoring the late Toby Keith, who passed away in February 2024. During their recollections, Bryan and Underwood secretly exchanged thoughts about what lay ahead for them.

“Luke was like, ‘I hear you’re going to the circus,’” Underwood recalled recently with a laugh.

The circus was analogous to “American Idol,” the televised singing competition that jump-started Carrie Underwood’s career when she emerged victorious in 2005 at the tender age of 22. Not long after Keith Urban’s tribute, news surfaced that she had agreed to rejoin the show, serving as a celebrity judge alongside Bryan and Lionel Richie. Close to two decades have passed since Ryan Seacrest announced Underwood as the winner before an audience of approximately 30 million viewers on TV. Now, the 23rd season of “Idol” is set to debut this Sunday night on ABC.

Bryan expressed that having Carrie present has felt incredibly fitting, given their reunion on the “Idol” judging panel in 2018 alongside Richie and Katy Perry. For Carrie, this feels like a full circle moment, and for us, it’s been delightful to listen to her reminisce about –

In my humble opinion, as a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of shows, I often find myself reminiscing, “During my time on set, it was quite different…

Music

For several years, the multitalented performer explored music until ultimately releasing an album. One track on this record, ‘Glorious’, was inspired by her mother, Goldie Hawn.

For over a decade, “American Idol” has remained remarkably consistent since its 2002 debut, serving as the top-rated show on American broadcast television. It’s essentially the U.S. version of “Pop Idol” from the UK. The contestants still strive for high notes that seem to burst their lungs, judges continue to offer advice based on their professional background, and Ryan Seacrest continues to host the event with a hint of amused wisdom.

The environment surrounding “Idol” has undergone significant changes over time. For instance, the program now faces increased competition with shows like “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent”. Furthermore, the shift towards streaming services has impacted the viewership of traditional broadcast TV, as evident last year when the finale attracted roughly 5 million viewers.

Moreover, the music industry has also experienced a transformation. Unlike before, it is less centralized and more influenced by social media platforms where new stars emerge and popular songs are produced. For example, Kelly Clarkson’s first single “Inside Your Heaven,” released after winning “Idol,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. However, the most recent winner, Abi Carter from Season 22, has yet to make it onto the charts.

The creators of “American Idol” emphasize its consistency as an appealing aspect in today’s world filled with digital excess and cultural turbulence. As Ryan Seacrest put it, “It’s a reliable refuge where you know what you’re getting.” He analogized the show to the long-standing “Wheel of Fortune,” which has experienced a ratings increase since Ryan took over as host last fall from Pat Sajak. With Underwood stepping in for Perry, who departed after Season 22, “Idol” seems to be attempting to bring back nostalgic feelings from its golden years.

This morning, I was viewing a video of Carrie at the Orpheum Theatre, where she experienced her initial flight to Hollywood Week on a plane during Season 4. As a contestant, Seacrest announced this. When I inquired if she’d encountered any celebrities since her arrival, she gazed skyward and replied, “Not really, it’s been rather overcast.

41-year-old Underwood returned to the Orpheum on a January Monday during this year’s Hollywood Week. At this stage, contestants who had been awarded golden tickets from the extensive auditions competed for the opportunity to perform before “Idol’s” viewing audience. Meanwhile, in a basement lounge, Underwood conversed with Bryan (age 48) and Richie (age 75), discussing their weekend activities (Bryan played golf at Bel-Air Country Club) and the previous night’s AFC Championship football match. An assistant approached to provide the judges with different bottles of water than those already present.

“Don’t go writing that she’s persnickety about her water,” Underwood joked.

According to the country singer herself, opting to participate in “Idol” once more – to be part of this lively group, as she phrased it – wasn’t a lengthy decision-making process. She expressed that at this stage in her career, she simply wants to engage in activities that seem enjoyable and challenging. Underwood, whose Las Vegas residency at Resorts World casino is wrapping up next month after over three years, found this opportunity thrilling.

Megan Michaels Wolflick, who oversees the popular show “Idol”, mentioned that no former contestant has ever returned as a judge on their show. However, notable ex-contestants like Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson have judged on “The Voice”. Previous judges on “Idol” include Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, and Nicki Minaj. Wolflick also highlighted that Carrie Underwood, the highest-selling winner in ‘Idol’ history, makes perfect sense as a judge given her status as our reigning queen.

Television

In my perspective, HBO’s anthology series I follow offers a sharp critique of the elite tourist scene, yet for its third season, it seems to double as a promotional tool for lavish travels. This is achieved through strategic partnerships and marketing agreements.

For this resident of friendly Nashville, striking the perfect balance – firm but understanding, kind yet straightforward – has been a journey in mastering the judges’ table tone. Richie humorously admitted, “I hail from the era of raw honesty: ‘You’re terrible,'” while Underwood is always hesitant to eliminate contestants, as she aspires for all 150 American Idol hopefuls to be winners.

Underwood stated that he’s cautious about making mistakes, referring to a past incident where judges were discussing his case in private and deciding which team he should join. He mentioned that Luke and Lionel advised him to trust his instincts, but he prefers to double-check his information before making a decision.

Underwood is well-versed with public discourse: She sparked controversy in January when she agreed to perform “America the Beautiful” at President Trump’s second inauguration, which she defended as a gesture towards unity. At the Orpheum a fortnight later, Underwood dismissed the criticism. “Regardless of what you do,” she remarked, “there will always be some praise and some criticism. It’s just the nature of our times, so one gets accustomed to it.

Both Seacrest and Wolflick portray “American Idol” as deliberately non-political in nature. Seacrest stated, “It’s indeed a deliberate choice of the show to never be political,” distinguishing it from late-night network shows that choose a political stance for their audience. Instead, they aim for inclusivity, wanting to appeal to everyone.

Was it inconsistent for Underwood to be seen alongside a divisive president, given her role? According to Wolflick, this was a choice she made in her professional life and it didn’t necessarily concern the team.

It’s also uncertain if Underwood’s attendance at the inauguration negatively affected “Idol,” as it maintains a dedicated fanbase in conservative regions of America. As Ryan Seacrest mentioned, “There are numerous small towns and medium-sized cities situated between New York and Los Angeles where this show continues to be eagerly anticipated by viewers.

Underwood commented that “Idol” caters to the craving for “family-friendly entertainment with a wholesome touch,” while Bryan pointed out that the show is more about celebrating American diversity, even if he didn’t explicitly say so. “We all fret about the divisions in our nation because we’re often reminded of them,” he added. “However, when we observe a hundred contestants who didn’t know each other before Hollywood Week – one wearing Wranglers and a cowboy hat, sitting next to another from the Bronx – they’re not just acquainted, but they’re embracing and showing affection towards each other.

Music

Lionel Richie looks back on the making of ‘We Are the World’ as seen in a new Netflix documentary.

One common factor that links contestants today, as acknowledged by everyone associated with “Idol”, is that social media has fostered a natural self-consciousness when on camera. As Seacrest pointed out, they understand perfectly how to position themselves and where to gaze – the gestures, the actions, the drama – because they’ve been filming themselves in their own rooms for so long.

Additionally, another shared element is the widespread popularity of Zach Bryan, a rugged country singer. According to Wolflick, his song “Something in the Orange” seems to be sung more frequently by contestants across all genres than any other song from the last decade. She referred to him as “essentially Elvis for our auditioners.

Richie inquired, “I’m curious if your business experience extends beyond TikTok?” To which Luke Bryan added, “Can you leverage a popular viral moment and transform it into a lasting career?” They also mentioned that singing into a phone and creating a viral video is one thing, but there’s a lot more to mastering ‘Idol.’ And even though winning ‘Idol’ might seem easy, Carrie Underwood had to work hard to establish her career.

Indeed, yes — absolutely.” Underwood affirmed. “Before I released my album, I already had a following. However, if the album wasn’t good enough, you wouldn’t be listening to any more from me.

During its successful early years, an “Idol” production line linked to the music industry was functioning, granting winners access to mainstream recognition that is significantly more challenging in today’s fragmented media environment. It wasn’t until Season 11 when Phillip Phillips emerged victorious, that a winner managed to achieve a legitimate pop hit (specifically “Home,” a folk-style song), following their time on the show.

At times, it’s truly disheartening to see some of my talents go unused, and I wonder if they will have another chance to shine, considering the current structure of the entertainment world,” Richie expressed.

Wolflick shares the conviction that “Idol” has the talent, just as Benson Boone demonstrated with his hit song “Beautiful Things” last year following a brief appearance in 2021. As she puts it, “We’re akin to the NFL or NBA when it comes to singing competitions. The term ‘reality show’ is somewhat misleading because we’re serious business. Compared to ‘The Voice,’ we could be considered more like a traditional competition. We’re still on the hunt for superstars.

Despite this, she conceded that the stage of “Idol” has undergone transformation. Iam Tongi, who triumphed in 2023, is not widely recognized as a familiar face; however, his social media following expanded significantly from around 500 followers to over a million due to his involvement with “Idol.

“I consider that a win because people are talking about him,” Wolflick said.

The judges on this popular show, even those who are well-known celebrities, aren’t immune to the changing currents of contemporary fame. When questioned about Katy Perry’s 2024 album “143” being a lesson in the difficulties of transitioning from television to music – a warning perhaps – Underwood replied, “I don’t dwell on that.” It seems she doesn’t want her musical success to come to an end? “What’s coming up is what’s coming up,” she said.

Bryan added, “I’d love to understand her perspective.” Recalling the time he was asked to join ‘American Idol’, Bryan was at the pinnacle of his music career. Maintaining a certain enigma in the music industry is important, and appearing on TV every day might dissolve that mystery. This prospect made him feel apprehensive.

Is there a possibility that the choice to perform in the show significantly impacted his career trajectory as a country artist? He replied, “Well, I’m still enjoying success and my tours are going smoothly. I don’t play at 20 stadiums anymore like I used to, but I wonder if that would have continued regardless.

At one time, it wasn’t cool to emcee an awards show, but then I went ahead and did it during the mid-80s with the American Music Awards. Suddenly, everyone wanted to host a show themselves. They even joke about it now: “The point is, what didn’t work before seems to be working now. Honestly, I find myself being recognized by 9-12 year olds in restaurants: ‘Mom, Dad, there’s Lionel!’ My grandkids warn me, ‘Oh no, Grandpa, they’re coming for you.'” He chuckled.

Read More

2025-03-06 14:34

Previous post The best Monster Hunter Wilds mods and how to install them
Next post Celebrate the return of Hextech Chests with these LoL custom skins