Carrie Underwood Booed on American Idol Stage

Carrie Underwood disclosed that she experienced frequent booing from the American Idol Hollywood Week audience, humorously sharing the news via social media.

This season marks Underwood's return to the reality singing competition as a judge, a role she took on after winning the show in 2005. She is now part of the judging panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, stepping into the position previously held by Katy Perry. Showrunners noted her iconic status as the "first ever Idol alum on the panel."

During a recent episode, Underwood was visibly moved by contestant Hannah Harper's performance of "String Cheese," a song detailing the struggles of postpartum depression. Harper explained the song's inspiration, stemming from a moment of feeling overwhelmed by her son's requests.

Underwood, a mother of two boys, shared that the song resonated deeply with her. She expressed that Harper's performance was "about the most relatable song" she had ever heard and declared herself a supporter of the contestant.

This season also features a new "Ohana Round" filmed in Hawai'i, following Hollywood Week. This round involves contestants performing for industry professionals and peers, with only 20 out of 30 advancing to the next stage.