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Carrie Underwood shared a heartfelt journal entry that she wrote when she was on American Idol two decades ago.
Underwood shared the brief clip of herself reading her journal entry from 2005, the year Ryan Seacrest crowned her the winner of the long-running competition show. That moment launched Underwood’s career as a powerhouse country star, and now, she’s returning to the show 20 years later. Underwood will serve as a judge for the first time, alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Jelly Roll is also joining Idol as the show’s first-ever “artist in residence.”
Underwood wrote in her journal when she was a contestant on American Idol:
“I just have to keep in mind that it will all be worth it, and the life I’ve started will be great. Most importantly, I have to remember that this has all been my choice, and it’s something I’ve wanted ever since I was a little girl. I know I have some great things ahead of me. Right now, I’m just trying to live in the moment and appreciate it all. I never dreamed that all of this would happen to me. I love it.”
Underwood shared the journal entry as part of an upcoming exclusive digital series, Idol To Icon. The series will feature Underwood reflecting “on my own season while guiding our new hopefuls as a judge!” She shared on Instagram that the series will premiere on the social media platform on Tuesday, March 4. It will reportedly also be available on YouTube. Idol To Icon will arrive just a few days before American Idol’s two-hour season premiere.
Idol fans can catch a preview of the highly-anticipated season after the Oscars, which starts at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC on Sunday (March 2). the new season of American Idol is set to premiere one week later, on Sunday, March 9. The show airs on ABC and is available the following day on Hulu.