Luke Bryan Offers Carrie Underwood Advice on ‘American Idol’ Judge Role — And It Involves Therapy

When it comes to finding success through American Idol, Carrie Underwood needs no advice. She was the winner of the music talent competiton’s fourth season in 2005, and since then, has gone on to become a three-time Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year winner and an eight-time Grammy winner who has notched 16 Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 hits, as well as a No. 1 Billboard all-genre Hot 100 hit (“Inside Your Heaven”).

However, when it comes to Underwood preparing to take over one of the American Idol judges’ seats, her fellow Idol judge Bryan has just one bit of advice for his fellow country singer-songwriter–and it sounds like the judge position on Idol could be a bit emotionally taxing.

In an interview with Audacy country music station 100.7 The Wolf backstage during the Watershed Music Festival, Bryan said, “Up your therapist. If she has a therapist, she’s probably going to have to double to deal with me and Lionel”

Bryan also made Underwood a thoughtful offer. “Maybe I should credit her or give her…I wonder do therapists do gift cards where I can call her therapist and gift her a voucher?”

Underwood won American Idol nearly two decades ago, and has since developed a multi-faceted career that includes not only being one of country music’s top headliners, but Underwood is also an actress and released the book Find Your Path. She has also capitalized on her commitment to health and wellness, through her fit52 fitness app. Her Las Vegas residency just added shows in 2025, and she’s also launched a trio of channels on SiriusXM, including Carrie’s Country, Carr-dio by Carrie’s Country and Savior Sunday Daily by Carrie’s Country.