Disney/Eric McCandless The search for a brand-new American Idol is about to begin. Season 23 of ABC's singing competition show is returning this March with season 4 winner Carrie Underwood serving as a judge for the very first time.

Jelly Roll will be the first-ever artist-in-residence on "American Idol" on ABC. The new season starts on March 9, 2025. Jelly will join during Hollywood Week. In this file photo, he performs last season on the show when he served as a mentor to contestants. Disney

The popular singing competition is back with a familiar face, as former winner Carrie Underwood swaps the mic for the judge's chair.

Jelly Roll is headed to "American Idol" as the show's first-ever Artist in Residence. In his new capacity, the "Save Me" hitmaker will be a "permanent fixture this season," working closely with this year's "American Idol" hopefuls to give "firsthand advice on how to navigate the journey," according to a representative for ABC.

Today (February 3), Jelly Roll announced that he will be joining reality competition show, American Idol as its first-ever artist-in-residence. In a promotional clip for the program’s upcoming season (viewable above), Jelly Roll and Ryan Seacrest gleefully shared the news.

Alabama had eight contenders including two that made the Top 10. Our first look at the new season comes with a March 2 preview.

American Idol viewers will see a few changes when the show returns next month. Katy Perry exited last season, and while some hoped Jelly Roll would be sitting at the judges’ table, that isn’t the case.