Carrie Underwood

On Sunday night, all eyes were on John Foster and Jamal Roberts as they stood beside Ryan Seacrest in the final, breathless moments of American Idol season 23. With months of hard work behind them and the weight of the nation’s votes hanging in the balance, the tension was palpable. Watching from the judges’ panel was someone who knew the feeling all too well—Carrie Underwood. It was exactly 20 years ago that she stood in their shoes, crowned the winner of American Idol season 4.

For Roberts, the journey reached a euphoric climax when Seacrest announced his name. The Mississippi native and PE teacher turned soul singer was instantly catapulted into stardom with a record deal, a cash prize, and a moment he’d never forget. But it wasn’t just the applause or the confetti that made it unforgettable—it was the message he received from Carrie Underwood backstage.

“I got to tell him afterwards, I was like, ‘Now go do great things,’” Underwood revealed in an interview with Extra TV following the finale. Coming from someone who used the Idol stage as a springboard to Grammy wins and global tours, her words held the weight of experience—and encouragement.

Carrie Underwood REVEALS Words to Jamal Roberts After ‘American Idol’ Win! (Exclusive)

While all three finalists—Roberts, Foster, and Breanna Nix—garnered praise from the judging panel, Underwood took a moment to reflect on why their presence on the show was so significant. “With Jamal, with John, with Breanna,” she said, “I’m like, ‘This is who the show is for.’ Everybody had, you know, small followings on Instagram or whatever, but it wasn’t like they had been doing this for years.” Her comment highlighted what makes American Idol unique: its ability to launch undiscovered voices into the national spotlight.

Despite a few corners of social media speculating about Underwood’s reactions on finale night—some even accusing her of “throwing shade” at Roberts—the country superstar made her admiration for the finalists crystal clear in her interviews. Her focus was not on theatrics, but on what’s next: the music, the message, the mission.

As for Underwood’s future with American Idol, she’s staying quiet—for now. With the show officially renewed for a 24th season set to air in 2026, fans are already hoping she’ll return to the panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Whether she’s back in the judge’s seat or not, one thing’s certain: Carrie Underwood’s legacy on American Idol is already sealed—and now, she’s passing the torch to voices like Jamal Roberts.