Carrie Underwood Is Not Okay in Tear-Filled American Idol First Look

One American Idol season 23 contestant makes new judge Carrie Underwood cry pretty in emotional new promo for the ABC singing competition series, which premieres March 9.

Get ready to cry pretty with Carrie Underwood.

The American Idol season four winner finally takes her seat at the judges’ table in E! News’ exclusive sneak peek at season 23 of the ABC reality singing competition series.

“This show is for people that have the talent, have a dream,” the “Cry Pretty” singer says in the new promo, “and they just need a chance.”

It isn’t long before Underwood is brought to tears by one contestant’s emotional life story during the auditions.

“My grandparents raised me from the moment I turned 2,” the hopeful tells the country star and fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan before being joined by his family. “She put everything she had in me all these years.”

Cut to Underwood ugly crying and blowing her nose.

And when Bryan jokingly asks, “You okay over there?” the emotional Underwood says through tears, “I’m not,” before Bryan comforts her with a giant hug.

Feelings aside, it’s safe to say the male singer’s vocal chops impressed the trio.

As Richie tells the contestant, “You need to be heard,” before he, Underwood and Bryan yell in unison, “You’re going to Hollywood!”

Of course, many other unknown talents are also hoping to earn a golden ticket with their auditions.

“I’ve wanted this since I was a little kid,” one admits in the teaser while another shares, “I’m ready for my life to change.”

And, yes, the first look promises many more tears of joy to come, both from the judges and the competitors. As Richie notes, “There are surprises in every person.”

See the emotional sneak peek at Underwood’s judging debut in the preview above.

As for how Underwood really feels about returning to Idol as a mentor 20 years after winning the show?

“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” the 41-year-old teased last August after it was announced she was replacing longtime judge Katy Perry. “And I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”

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Plus, Underwood already has her predecessor’s stamp of approval.

“She was born on that show,” Perry told People in January. “She actually truly knows. As artists, we’ve been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day. So I think she’s going to have a lot to offer anyone that’s willing to listen.”

American Idol premieres Sunday, March 9, at 8 p.m. on ABC.