‘American Idol’: Carrie Underwood’s ‘Authentic’ Style Makes Her More Likable Than Katy Perry, Stylist Says
ABC’s American Idol Season 23 welcomes Carrie Underwood as a first-time judge. Underwood won season 4 of the singing reality competition series. Now, she’s returning to the series alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to help make one singer’s dreams come true. According to a celebrity stylist, Underwood might come across as more “authentic” to fans compared to Katy Perry because of her clothing choices. Here’s why.
A celebrity stylist said Carrie Underwood’s ‘authentic’ style will ‘resonate’ with ‘American Idol’ Season 23 viewers
Carrie Underwood took over for Katy Perry as a judge for American Idol Season 23. While some viewers adored Perry, others despised her, often finding that her personality would overpower the competitors. Celebrity stylist Lalla Bronshtein told The U.S. Sun that Underwood “will work well” on American Idol because she knows who she is, and her personal style reflects this.
“Carrie will be a successful judge because she is so true to herself,” Bronshtein explained. “Without going down the trend route like Katy Perry does, Carrie is authentic. This will resonate well with the show and the audience.”
The stylist noted that Perry “goes with whatever is on trend,” which often worked against her and American Idol fans. “When stars are not true to themselves and lack unique looks, it can get tricky,” Bronshtein continued.
The stylist noted that Perry often chose “daring and different standout pieces” to wear, whereas Underwood brings a different feel. “Katy is approaching 40 and is all about big fashion, yet Carrie will be refreshing on the show,” Bronshtein said. “In your 40s, you can wear anything if you have the confidence. With Carrie, she wears what suits her figure.”
So, what can fans expect to see from Underwood’s outfits? The stylist noted how the country superstar loves “rhinestones, lace, silk, sparkles, and textured fabrics.”
“Carrie has taken years to find her style,” the expert concluded. “She has found it in her 40s and only embraces it all now.”
Another stylist said some of Katy Perry’s ‘American Idol’ dresses didn’t ‘match her personality’
Katy Perry isn’t afraid of a daring fashion moment. She debuted several shocking looks as a judge on American Idol. However, stylist Amanda Sanders told The U.S. Sun that some of Perry’s dresses on the show looked “lumpy” and “not properly tailored.”
“These clothes are not natural to Katy, which would frustrate her,” the stylist explained, adding that some of Perry’s on-screen looks don’t “match her personality.”
Sanders guessed that the styling team was choosing unflattering looks for Perry because Perry’s time on Idol was coming to a close. “The Idol team might be dressing Katy a certain way just for the last series,” she suggested. “Katy looks how they want her to before she leaves and is a little more what the producers want. Katy probably has less creative control now that she is finishing her time there.”
Katy Perry wore a cutout dress in Paris to signify the regeneration of her music career, a psychologist explained
American Idol judge Katy Perry debuted a jaw-dropping look during Paris Fashion Week in June 2024. She hit the runway in a black cutout dress from Noir Kei Ninomiy’s Fall 2019 collection. Fashion psychologist Professor Carolyn Mair, PhD, told The U.S. Sun that Perry appeared to try “very, very hard to get attention in Paris” with the look.
“The leaves and flowers were about rebirth and signal Katy trying to regenerate her music career,” Mair continued. “The leaves had been cut with jagged edges, which made them look edgy and rebellious, especially when juxtaposed with the romantic and feminine skirt.”
The psychologist noted that Perry looked “unsure and nervous” while in Paris and chose some of her outfits to appear “tougher.”
“In Paris, Katy was trying to show individuality but was not doing this successfully,” Mair continued. “It looked inauthentic.”
American Idol Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.
