The Cowboy Casanova singer will replace Katy Perry.

Twenty years after her 2005 win, country music superstarCarrie Underwoodis coming home to where it all began.

On August 1,American Idolannounced Underwoods returnin a sentimental videowith a montage of hometown clips.

Carrie Underwood performing in Las Vegas, 2024

Credit:Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

Ryan Seacrest is the shows host (and has been since the very beginning).

She also demonstrated a very unique skill to Simon and Randy: clucking like a chicken.

I just clucked my way to American Idol!

Notably, after collecting her golden ticket to Hollywood and hugging her momwho drove all the way toSt.

Louis, MOfor the auditionUnderwood announced: Im going to get to fly on a plane!

She nowlives in Middle Tennesseewith her husband, former NHL hockey player Mike Fisher, and their two sons.

She also has a Las Vegas residency.

In theAmerican Idolannouncement, Carrie reflected on the years since leaving the show.

I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show, she said.

Underwood will make her judge debut onAmerican Idolon ABC and Hulu this coming spring.

She is the first Idol alum to join the judges table.