Carrie Underwood Posts Photos To Show Transformation Years In The Making

Carrie Underwood embraced her full circle transformation from American Idol hopeful to her return to the show as a judge.

Underwood shared two side-by-side photos on Instagram on Sunday (February 9), and many of the commenters said they couldn't believe it's been two decades since the singer-songwriter's victory on the show. The first photo is a snapshot of the singer from Checotah, Oklahoma, then 21, at her audition. Underwood wore jeans and a pink t-shirt when she first impressed judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Underwood delivered a rendition of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt at the audition in St. Louis, Missouri.

The second photo shows Underwood, now 41, wearing a pink dress as she returns to an Idol audition room again. This time, the Denim & Rhinestones artist will appear on the show as a judge, following Katy Perry’s departure. Underwood joins returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, and reunites with longtime American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who crowned Underwood the winner in 2005. The upcoming season will also include Jelly Roll as the first-ever “artist in residence.”

“‘Then’ as a contestant vs. ‘Now’ as a judge 20 years later!” Underwood wrote in her caption on Instagram. She added that she’s “counting the days” until American Idol’s season premiere date. A preview will air after the Oscars, which starts at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC on March 2. American Idol will premiere on March 9 on ABC, and will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.