Underwood received rave reviews for her first episode, with many viewers taking to X to admit that they prefer her over Perry. “Carrie is so much better than Katy Perry,” one person wrote. Another said, “Jukebox Carrie Underwood is way better than Katy Perry sorry not sorry,” and someone else added, “Hate to say this… I’m glad Katy left.”

Katy Perry, who was a judge on our show, sang at the last inauguration as well, so isn’t that great that two American Idol judges sang at the last two inaugurations. Megan Michaels Wolflick also pointed out that Carrie Underwood “handled very well” the technical difficulties her inauguration performance faced.

Katy Perry announced in February 2024 that she was leaving American Idol after her seven-season run as a judge, sparking a firework of tears.