AMERICAN Idol would ‘kill’ to hire a country A-lister as a new judge – but there’s an ‘unfortunate’ reason it ‘won’t happen,’ The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
Before Carrie Underwood was hired to replace Katy Perry on the judges panel, the show had its eyes set on another Nashville superstar who is the “perfect package.”
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Earlier this week, The U.S. Sun reported that Carrie, 42, was not American Idol’s “first pick” to join the season 23 judges’ panel this year.
As ABC was looking for new shoes to fill in for Katy, 40, following her departure in 2024, they picked their “dream” artist for the spot, but a technicality got in the way of making the move a reality.
“The network would kill for Luke Combs. He’s at the top of their list,” an insider claimed.
The source continued: “He’s extremely relevant, successful, down to earth, and a family man.
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“And he’s a true vocalist, not just a singer. He’s got a once-in-a-generation voice.
“He really is the perfect package for this show, but the panel cannot be three men so it wouldn’t work out with this current lineup.
“But if the panel does get shaken up more one day, that’s the dream.”
Luke, 35, has become one of the biggest stars in all of country music since he exploded onto the scene with his single Hurricane in 2016.
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Since then, he has racked up numerous top honors in country music, including the CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.
The beloved star has also become quite the family man and sings about his role as a new dad in his songs.
He has welcomed sons Tex Lawrence, born in June 2022, and Beau Lee, born in August 2023, with his wife, Nicole Hocking.
COMBING THROUGH OPTIONS
Previously, The U.S. Sun revealed that they had scouted various country stars and pop A-listers to fill in for Katy.
According to the insider: “Carrie was not the network’s first pick to be a judge this season.
“They spoke with a handful of other A-list artists in pop and country before landing on Carrie. It was not a unanimous decision.”
Before Carrie was officially offered the coveted Idol judges seat, her co-star, Luke Bryan, revealed who he thought should step in to fill Katy’s shoes.
“I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks.
“But they’re being tight-lipped about it. I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do.
“And we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide,” Luke previously told Billboard.
Who are the past American Idol winners?
The previous American Idol winners include:
Kelly Clarkson (2002)
Ruben Studdard (2003)
Fantasia Barrino (2004)
Carrie Underwood (2005)
Taylor Hicks (2006)
Jordin Sparks (2007)
David Cook (2008)
Kris Allen (2009)
Lee DeWyze (2010)
Scotty McCreery (2011)
Phillip Phillips (2012)
Candice Glover (2013)
Caleb Johnson (2014)
Nick Fradiani (2015)
Trent Harmon (2016)
Maddie Poppe (2018)
Laine Hardy (2019)
Just Sam (2020)
Chayce Beckham (2021)
Noah Thompson (2022)
Iam Tongi (2023)
Luke also expressed doubt that the person who was hired to fill in for Katy would be able to pull it off the same way she did.
“Katy was really perfect for that job and I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did,” Luke admitted.
After causing some controversy during her time on the show, Carrie could be “one and done” with being a judge and may not return, The U.S. Sun previously revealed.
While it’s “too early” for casting next season and “no decisions” have been made for season 24’s judging panel, the show will have an idea of who will be back “soon.”
“They’ll have more of an idea in the next month or so. Nothing is off the table.
“At the beginning of filming, everyone thought [Carrie] would be back next year.
“Now, it’s much more up in the air,” the source claimed.
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