Three standout performers remain in the race for the “American Idol” crown after a dramatic night of Disney-themed performances.
Carrie Underwood turned heads during the latest episode of “American Idol,” but her appearance wasn’t enough to win over everyone, as several viewers criticized her judging style and called for her to be replaced next season.
Underwood embraced a fairytale vibe ahead of the May 12 “American Idol” episode, channeling Rapunzel in a striking purple gown with a modern twist. The dress featured a dramatic thigh-high slit and delicate floral embroidery along the front, blending elegance with bold flair.
Her long blonde hair flowed all the way down to her silver stilettos, accented with purple flower accessories that added an extra touch of enchantment. Underwood shared the look on Instagram with the caption, “It’s a #DisneyNight fit check! #CUonIDOL,” just before the Disney-themed episode aired.
That night, the top five contestants performed twice, once with a heroes-themed song and once as a villain, all vying for America’s vote.
While Underwood’s dress drew attention for its whimsical nod to Rapunzel, many viewers were more focused on her judging. Her critiques sparked a flurry of reactions online.
One blunt viewer didn’t mince words, penning, “Get rid of her. Her bias is showing.” Frustration continued as another viewer shared, “I wish it was a way to vote you off🙄 Definitely plays favorites and it’s cringey to watch.”
Among the critics, one conflicted fan expressed, “I love Carrie but this outfit was not it! And why critiquing Jamal so harshly? when the other guys do the same things that he does…he’s incredible! And i’m so shocked that Gabby was sent home [sic].”
An individual echoed a similar concern, “Yep she definitely didn’t like Jamal.” A viewer even appealed for changes, “Jelly Roll pleaseeeeee [sic]she’s got to go!” A disheartened fan didn’t hold back their disappointment, saying, “I hope you don’t be a judge on this show again you bring fake energy. Please don’t come back.”
However, some viewers were quick to defend the judge, with one fan encouraging her, “You’re still going to get criticized, so you might as well do whatever you want 💫 ❤️🔥
Another admirer praised her, “Loved you as a judge this year. People don’t realize that you are dressed as Rapunzel tonight ….so much hate in this world. Love you, Carrie.”
Finally, someone else chimed in with a hopeful message, “Carrie I enjoyed watching you as a judge on American Idol, this year!I hope you come back year!![sic]”
On the night Underwood faced sharp criticism from viewers, host Ryan Seacrest guided the evening as she joined fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in narrowing the competition to its top three finalists. Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis were eliminated after delivering two performances each.
Nalley sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story” and “Born to be Wild” from “D3: The Mighty Ducks,” while Thunderstorm performed “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from “Cinderella” and “Find Yourself” from “Cars.”
Advancing to the finale were John Foster, Jamal Roberts, and Breanna Nix. Foster performed “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book” and “Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie.”
Roberts impressed with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” from “Remember the Titans” and “Beauty and the Beast” from the classic film of the same name.
Breanna moved forward after singing “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” from “The Parent Trap” and “You’ll Be in My Heart” from “Tarzan.”
The judges were thoroughly impressed with the remaining contestants and offered thoughtful, encouraging feedback as they head into the finale on Sunday, May 18.
With the finale quickly approaching, fans remain eager to see whether Carrie Underwood’s judging will meet their expectations. However, it is the singer’s fit checks that often draw more than just fashion feedback.
In March 2025, when “American Idol” shared a clip on Instagram featuring her twirling to reveal her look for the show, some netizens responded with criticism. A number of viewers speculated that she had altered her appearance, sparking a wave of negative reactions.
As the video began, Underwood exclaimed, “Fit Check!” before spinning around as the camera panned down to capture her outfit. She wore what appeared to be a dress featuring a blue denim jacket with a zip at the back and a large matching bow around her neck.
Her denim skirt had a ruffled black-and-white distressed design. The front pockets on her hips were adorned with gold buttons. The buttons were also present on the blue denim strip extending from the top of the skirt to the bottom of the dress.
The footage ended with Underwood looking directly into the camera and flicking her blonde ponytail. The clip was captioned, “Bow yes she did. 🩵✨ #IDOL #fitcheck.”
After seeing her look, people focused on her face, with one asking, “What did she do to her lips.” The criticism continued with another person writing, “She looks too different too [sic] much filler in her face and lips.”
Another person lamented, “To much done to her face . [sic] She was beautiful without all that,” while one netizen commented, “BIG LIPS.” Meanwhile, someone else observed, “She looks different 🤔.”
A concerned person questioned, “What happened to her face????” However, some people saw nothing wrong with her appearance and responded positively.
