Simon Cowell has finally broken his silence on Carrie Underwood joining the American Idol judges’ panel, and let’s just say he’s about as excited as a kid in a candy store.
In a plot twist nobody saw coming, it was announced in July that Carrie, the 41-year-old “Before He Cheats” superstar and season four’s reigning champ, will be stepping into Katy Perry’s sparkly shoes for the show’s 23rd season.
Simon, now 64 and sporting a face as immobile as ever, shared his thoughts with E! News. “I think it’s a smashing choice,” Simon declared, his eyebrows making their own statement. “Carrie and I go way back. I remember her audition as if it happened just yesterday—mostly because it was so unforgettable. She was fantastic and genuinely nice, which is rare in this business.”
Simon, who judged American Idol from its first notes in 2002 until he finally took a break in 2010, also dished out some sage advice for the new judge on the block. “Here’s the secret,” Simon revealed with a wink. “Just say whatever comes to mind. It’s not rocket science, I assure you. We all have the same feelings, and we disagree on almost everything—which is brilliant because otherwise, we’d all be snoozing. And most importantly, just have a blast.”
