American Idol's secret battle over Carrie Underwood's epic return - and rival show's last-minute hijack bid

American Idol bosses battled for years to enlist Carrie Underwood as 1 of nan show's judges but were relentlessly thwarted by money, timing and a melodramatic rival bid, a root says.

Their persistence has yet paid disconnected – it was announced connected Thursday that the state singer, 41, is returning to nan bid she won successful 2005. She will replace Katy Perry as a panelist alongside returning stars Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

According to an insider, nan conflict for Carrie took a melodramatic move erstwhile rival bid The Voice brought nan conflict to American Idol producers, but yet her loyalty laic pinch nan show that launched her career.

Now nan timing is yet right, Carrie apparently can't hold to 'give back' to nan show that catapulted her into worldwide fame – and is excited to further 'cement her legacy'.

'They person asked Carrie successful nan past to beryllium a judge and either timing, money aliases different commitments person sewage successful nan measurement to make it a reality,' a root told DailyMail.com.

'She has been asked to coach connected The Voice arsenic well, but it conscionable ne'er seemed right.

'Even pinch nan opening she has to speak to nan aforesaid group astatine NBC by moving pinch Sunday Night Football, she has ever felt that she needed to beryllium loyal to American Idol.

'She has ever monitored nan show that started her career, and now she couldn't opportunity no.

'Carrie feels she is nan champion prima to person travel from American Idol and judging connected nan show to make different superstar will thief cement her bequest pinch nan show.

'She is looking guardant to each joyousness she gets from giving backmost and is much than fresh to make nan show nan monster show it erstwhile was.'

DailyMail.com has contacted American Idol and The Voice for comment. 

Carrie, nan first American Idol alum to go a judge, is group to make her debut erstwhile nan ABC show returns successful outpouring 2025.

In an affectional video announcing her caller gig, she enthused: 'I'm proud of everything that I was capable to execute connected nan show, and I'm truthful proud of everything that I've accomplished since.'

'This upcoming play marks 20 years since Carrie won America's hearts connected Idol and launched her successful multi-Grammy Award-winning career,' said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group.

'As a erstwhile Idol and move philharmonic force, she brings a remarkably unsocial position to 1 of nan astir celebrated shows connected television.'

Country vocalist Carrie is nan astir dressed up creator successful CMT Music Awards history pinch 25 wins.

She has besides won 8 Grammy Awards and consistently tops nan charts pinch her albums and singles.

Carrie will beryllium joining judges Luke and Lionel, who each person 7 seasons of judging acquisition nether their belts.

Meanwhile, longtime big Ryan Seacrest, who has been pinch nan show since it premiered, will besides return.

American Idol premiered successful 2002 connected Fox and was a deed for nan network, but it was canceled successful 2016.

After 2 years disconnected nan air, nan show was revived by ABC and has aired location for 7 seasons.

Katy was nan first of nan revival judges to time off nan judges' post.

Auditions for nan caller play will footwear disconnected August 12 pinch nan Idol Across America nationwide hunt for talent and will extremity successful September.

The play is group to premiere successful nan outpouring and will beryllium disposable to watch connected ABC and Hulu.