Here’s Why Carrie Underwood was Chosen as Next ‘American Idol’ Judge & Which Castmate is Particularly Excited | American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Music, Television | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip

Longtime American Idol showrunner and executive producer Megan Wolflick opened up about the decision to select Carrie Underwood as the next judge on the competition show.

The 41-year-old country music star was chosen to replace Katy Perry on the judging panel, which also features Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

In a new interview, Megan explained why they chose Carrie, who won the fourth season of the show in 2005. She also revealed that one of her costars was particularly excited about the opportunity.

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“Well, it is 20 years since she auditioned in St. Louis for American Idol, and to have the first ever Idol alum on the panel has always been something that’s been interesting to me,” she told ET. “She is our queen, she is our icon of American Idol.”

She added that they had been in touch with the hitmaker “for a while.”

“It’s a new era of the show and every new chapter of American Idol,” she added. “When we open up that first page, it is just as exciting as closing a chapter, and I cannot wait to embark on this journey with our first Idol alum with the panel.”

According to Megan, Ryan Seacrest is particularly excited to have Carrie on the show again.

“Ryan couldn’t be more excited, since he has been there every step of the way with Carrie,” she explained. “He was like just over the moon about it. And the guys are so excited, too. I mean obviously they both know her, they’re excited to work with her.”

If you missed it, another person is exiting the series.