Carrie Underwood Promises to Be ‘Honest and Constructive but Still Kind’ as ‘American Idol’ Judge

The winner of "American Idol" Season 4, Carrie Underwood, returns to the singing competition show for Season 23 as its first contestant-turned-judge. She joins the panel alongside fellow country artist Luke Bryan as well as Lionel Richie.

"I can't think of a better person to be on that panel than you, who's been through it all," SiriusXM host Buzz Brainard told Carrie during an exclusive interview in Las Vegas for The Highway's"Music Row Happy Hour" special. "Do you think you can be - 'cause you're so sweet - do you think you can be that tough?"

"I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind," Carrie said. "And I think that's the whole point, 'cause people are coming in and, you know, it's dreams. And you're a part of somebody's story from that moment on. So I think it's important to be honest, but I think it's also very important to be kind, so hopefully I can marry all of those together and be a good judge."