American Idol’s ninth season on ABC (and 24th overall) is beginning to wind down with the recent start of the live shows amid the 2026 TV schedule, and the fans have been quite vocal. Not only did they shatter voting records, but those in the crowd have made sure that they’re heard as well. That's particularly true when it comes to judge Carrie Underwood, who has been sharing brutally honest thoughts with contestants and bringing in a lot of boos in the process. However, Underwood doesn’t care about the blowback.
If anyone on Idol knows what it takes to win, it’s a judge who's also been that winner. Underwood is one of the most famous American Idol contestants, as she won Season 4 back in 2005. She's been on the other side of the judges’ table, and I could imagine that's partially why she has been so harsh with feedback. When Underwood appeared on the American Idol Official Podcast with fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, host Danielle Fishel brought up how she gave some “constructive criticism” about moments that were magical and moments that weren’t as good and got booed yet again. Underwood just had three simple words to say about it all:
