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👋 Carrie's full-circle moment is everything — Twenty years after winning American Idol, Carrie Underwood returns as a judge for Season 23, wearing the same pink color as her original audition and making contestants cry with her heartfelt feedback.

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HEADLINES

🎤 Carrie Underwood's American Idol Judge Debut

American Idol's post-Oscars sneak peek revealed Carrie Underwood as the ideal replacement for Katy Perry in a nostalgic debut that brought the Season 4 winner back to where her career began 20 years ago. Wearing the same pink color as during her 2005 audition, Underwood took her seat alongside veterans Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in what she described as a surreal experience.

"Twenty years ago, Idol changed my life. And now I have the privilege of helping a new generation of artists change theirs," Underwood shared during the episode. Despite early nerves, the country superstar quickly established chemistry with her fellow judges, bringing both emotional depth and unexpected humor to the panel.

Contestants were visibly excited to perform for one of the show's most successful winners, with Underwood offering specific, constructive feedback that highlighted her musical expertise. She displayed surprising versatility — getting emotional during touching performances, dancing in her seat during upbeat numbers, and even showcasing her playful side with Luke Bryan, who dubbed her "Scary Carrie" during one rock audition.

The debut comes amid calls to boycott the show following Underwood's performance at President Trump's inauguration, which some viewers interpreted as political support. However, the sneak peek demonstrated her genuine connection with contestants from diverse backgrounds, including holding one stay-at-home mom's baby while encouraging her not to diminish her identity.

With her emotional authenticity and industry experience, Underwood appears to be carrying on Perry's legacy of making contestants feel "seen, heard, and safe" while adding her unique perspective as someone who once stood in their shoes.

 Go Deeper: Here’s 8 moments from the sneak peek you need to see.

⚠️ Jax Taylor Admits: “I Am an Addict.”

The Valley star Jax Taylor made a powerful admission about his struggles with addiction during a revealing March 4 appearance on Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast. The 45-year-old reality television personality candidly discussed his decades-long battle with cocaine and alcohol, marking the first time he's publicly identified as an addict.

"I have substance issues — primarily with cocaine," Taylor shared in the emotional interview, explaining that he's been "dealing with this on and off since I was 23." The former Vanderpump Rules star described periods where he would temporarily stop using, followed by "times where I'd go heavy on it." Taylor emphasized the significance of this disclosure, saying:

Taylor's journey toward recovery includes 83 days of sobriety, which he proudly notes is "the longest I've ever gone" without using substances. While acknowledging cocaine as his primary addiction, he explained his decision to abstain from alcohol as well: "I don't necessarily think I have an alcohol problem, but the two go hand in hand. I can't do cocaine without drinking. So I just gave up both."

This revelation follows Taylor's September 2024 stay at an in-patient treatment facility, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. The reality star entered treatment shortly after announcing his separation from estranged wife Brittany Cartwright. In a heartfelt Instagram post at the time, Taylor wrote about his mental health journey: "After many years of knowing something was wrong but not knowing exactly what it was, I recently learned that I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD."

Taylor's road to recovery continues as he focuses on being present for his son and becoming "a better version of myself than I was yesterday." The reality star's openness about his struggles has resonated with fans, as he acknowledged: "Your messages have helped me more than you know."

Go Deeper: Brittany Cartwright reacts to Ex Jax Taylor’s confession.

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