Carrie Underwood opens up about replacing Katy Perry on American Idol, teases her 'versatile' advantage 

Carrie Underwood is excited to bring her versatility back to the American Idol stage.

The country singer, 41, is set to replace Katy Perry as judge on the upcoming 23rd season — two decades after she won season 4 as a contestant. Much has changed since then, including forays into other genres, which Underwood believes will serve her well on the panel.

"I feel like I’ve been so blessed to obviously be so rooted in country music, but I’ve been able to be a part of many other genres or music as well," Underwood told SiriusXM host Buzz Brainard during an interview in Las Vegas for The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour special. "I mean, I’ve got a song with Papa Roach right now. It’s a lot of fun."

Underwood added, "I like to think that I am versatile. Hopefully, when I listen to people come and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on in terms of what music I’m thinking."

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Don't expect Simon Cowell levels of critique, though. “I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind,” Underwood said when Brainard asked if she could be tough. “And I think that’s the whole point, ’cause people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams. You’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on. I think it’s important to be honest, but it’s also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all of those together and be a good judge.”

Perry made her final appearance as judge during the season 22 finale after seven years on the show. Underwood will join returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan once the new season returns in 2025, making her the first show alum to ever join the panel. Host Ryan Seacrest will also be back to emcee the competition series.

Showrunner and executive producer Megan Wolflick shared in a statement that Underwood's "superstar status as the most successful Idol winner to date" makes her the "perfect" fit for the show. "She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story," Wolflick said. "Our future hopefuls will have the chance to receive advice from someone who has walked in their exact footsteps every step of the way."

Craig Erwich, Disney Television Group president, called Underwood's return a "full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades," adding, "Welcome home, Carrie."