Carrie Underwood has vowed to be “kind” on ‘American Idol’.

Carrie Underwood is the newest judge on American Idol

Carrie Underwood is the newest judge on American Idol

The ‘Before He Cheats’ hitmaker has replaced Katy Perry as a judge on the talent show and though the 41-year-old star – who shot to fame when she won the fourth series of the programme in 2005 – has pledged to be “honest” with her feedback to the contestants, she doesn’t want to crush their dreams.

Speaking during a surprise appearance at SiriusXM’s ‘Music Row Happy Hour in Las Vegas’, she said: "I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind. And I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on."

Despite her country music background, Carrie believes her career has shown enough versatility over the years for her to be credible in commenting on many other genres.

She said: “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.

"I mean, I’ve got a song with Papa Roach right now. It’s a lot of fun.

"I like to think that I am versatile. And, 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."

Fellow judge Lionel Richie recently praised Carrie as a “great” addition to the panel.

He told E! News: "It makes a lot of sense. It’s not someone we have to get used to. And the fact that she has a great story, she came from ‘American Idol’.

"What a great judge, now we don't have to explain anymore, 'We know how you feel.' As artists, we know how you feel, but we've never been in that oval that says, 'American Idol.' She's been there, done that."

Meanwhile, third panelist Luke Bryan joked Carrie will need to “up her therapist” as a result of working with them.

Asked what advice he has for Carrie, the 48-year-old star said in a TikTok video: "Up her therapist. If she has a therapist, she’s probably going to have to double to deal with me and Lionel."

Luke subsequently joked that he was happy to assist his new co-star.

Luke quipped: "Do therapists do gift cards where I can call her therapist and gift her a voucher?"

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