“American Idol” is searching for the next Idol as Season 23 is well underway with Carrie Underwood joining Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan at the table with their wisdom and knowledge of the music business. This past week, the contestants were rounded down after America’s vote to pick the Top 14, with 10 of them moving through from the vote and the final four being chosen by the judges. The decision was difficult for them as Carrie Underwood tells TVMusic Network after Monday night’s show. Check out the interview with the Season Four Idol winner turned Country music superstar below.

TVMusic Network: Welcome Back

Carrie Underwood: Thank You

TVMusic Network: Was [being a judge on “American Idol] everything you thought it would be? To be on the other side?

Carrie Underwood: It’s been really great and there are moments that have happened like tonight that is hard when you are like balance of the hope and dreams and decisions could further those dreams or hopefully everyone can take whatever happened tonight and be like I am going to forge my own path.

TVMusic Network: I can tell that it was hard for you trying to make the final decision. Did Luke or Lionel advise you on how it would be?

Carrie Underwood: They said the whole time it was going to be hard. There is always people that because there were only 10 were safe that’s a wide range.  We don’t know who was number 11, or who was number 20. It’s up to us to not guess but it was a lot. I feel in the end I think we all reached a conscience we could all live with.

TVMusic Network: You would know more than anyone about song choice…the judges make an emphasis on song choice. What advice would you give on song choices?

Carrie Underwood: We all have our own personal musical tastes; my musical taste might not be what America wants to hear. It’s a balance but you have to be you, and you have to try to think about what kind of artist you want to be but as with anything. When I am putting together a setlist for a show, I am like what do the fans want to hear do they want me to show up and sing all my deep cuts for two hours or do they want to hear songs they know so that’s something to think about for sure.

TVMusic Network: Your performance yesterday, such a beautiful song and beautiful performance. I know your faith is really important to you. How did you feel about having that special?

Carrie Underwood: I really have to commend ABC and the people in charge for making that happen. I feel like I am getting a lot of either the blame or credit depending on or rather you like it or didn’t. They came to me and said that we would love to do this. I said I am on board. I love that the whole place made it their own by singing inspirational songs. Some chose to sing specific songs of faith, and some people chose and sang about their mom. It made for a real rounded show.

The Top 14 contestants will compete again on Sunday, April 27, during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode where host Ryan Seacrest will announce the 2025 inductees into the exclusive club. Rock Hall inductee and music icon James Taylor will be a guest mentor followed by Monday’s episode on April 28 with a coast-to-coast voting with mentoring from Season Three winner Fantasia.

“American Idol” airs Sundays and Mondays on ABC.

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