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Carrie Underwood admitted she still feels her “anxiety” spike when she hears the American Idol theme song.
Underwood competed on the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Host Ryan Seacrest crowned the Oklahoma-born country star the winner of that season, and now, 20 years after that career-launching victory, Underwood has returned to Idol as a judge for the first time.
“For the record, the American Idol (theme song), the music, like, gives me anxiety,” Underwood said with a laugh in a clip she shared on Instagram on Monday (April 21). “I get, like, this flash of fear in my heart, like nervousness, because it’s the same! PTSD.”
Underwood added in her caption on Monday, ahead of American Idol’s Top 14 reveal: “The Idol theme song gives me anxiety. For real!”
The Denim & Rhinestones superstar joined the panel of celebrity judges alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. She joined the show after pop artist Katy Perry’s departure. Underwood previously said her full circle return to American Idol two decades after her win “feels like home.” She's since reflected on her time on the show via the Idol To Icon web series, including her audition, her Hollywood Week (and her fashion), and more. Relive her Idol journey in nostalgic photos here.