Photo: Getty Images
Carrie Underwood wore a vibrant yellow gown during the latest episode of American Idol on Monday evening (April 20).
Underwood’s eye-popping dress and hairstyle — half gathered into a bun, half cascading over her shoulders — served as a nod to Belle, the iconic princess from Disney’s classic 1991 film, Beauty and the Beast. Underwood embraced Idol’s Disney theme with her wardrobe, and posted a few photos of the customized look on Instagram on Monday evening. The current judge and 2005 Idol champion also offered a glimpse of the path from backstage leading to the show’s stage, sharing that she “felt like Belle for a night,” and the evening “was pure fairytale magic!”
Throughout the evening, Idol contestants delivered heartfelt renditions of timeless songs from Aladdin, Frozen, Pocahontas, “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie, The Lion King, Coco, The Princess and the Frog and Toy Story. Underwood watched the performances alongside fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, plus guest judge and mentor Jennifer Hudson, another former Idol contestant. Hudson started her career on the competition show more than two decades ago, and went on to become an EGOT-winning singer, actress, producer and talk show host. Underwood gushed, “I love a full-circle moment,” as she posted a photo with “the incomparable” Hudson at the judges’ desk.
American Idol airs on ABC on Monday nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT. It’s available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Bryan is part of the star-studded lineup of the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival. The show also includes Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson, Gretchen Wilson, Chase Matthew, Lauren Alaina and special guest George Birge. iHeartRadio's Bobby Bones is returning as the event’s host. The show will take place on May 2 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Tickets to the show are available on Ticketmaster.com. Fans across the country will be able to catch all the action as the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival will be broadcast live across iHeartCountry stations nationwide and the free iHeartRadio app on Saturday, May 2nd at 8pm ET/5pm PT (7pm CT).