Carrie Underwood is no longer performing on the American Idol finale.
As the milestone Season 20 comes to a close with a star-studded finale, it was revealed by host Ryan Seacrest that Underwood was unable to appear.
“There was a COVID exposure in Carrie Underwood’s group, so following protocol she will no longer be performing tonight,” Seacrest said following the opening performance from Flo Rida with the Top 10.
Underwood was set to deliver the live debut of “Denim & Rhinestones” during the three-hour finale on Sunday, May 22.
The country superstar and Season 4 Idol winner previously appeared on Season 20 to mentor the Top 5 from her Las Vegas residency.
Underwood wrapped the 2022 performances of REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency on Saturday evening at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Underwood is gearing up to release her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, which will feature 12-tracks, including the project’s lead single “Ghost Story,” as well as the title track and the recently released “Crazy Angels.”
“We cover a lot of ground on this album,” Underwood shared in a press release. ”We have a lot of songs that have a bit of a ‘throwback’ feel, but they sound super fresh. I grew up listening to so many different kinds of music and that is extremely evident in this body of work.”
“These are musical influences that are all in me and work their way out, and I just decided this time not to get in their way,” the Oklahoma native added. “I think this whole album ended up being a big reflection of me as a person and as an artist.”
Underwood will soon bring her forthcoming new album to life on a 43-city tour, kicking off this fall.
Produced by AEG Presents, the trek will feature special guest Jimmie Allen on all dates. Launching on October 15 in Greenville, South Carolina, the tour will hit cities around the U.S. including New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, before wrapping up in Seattle, Washington on March 17.
The three-hour Season 20 finale of American Idol featured performances from the Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as the Top 3 finalists Noah Thompson, HunterGirl, and Leah Marlene.
Additionally, superstars Gabby Barrett, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Michael Bublé, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ben Platt, Thomas Rhett, Tai Verdes, and will perform during the star-studded broadcast.
Several other contestants from Season 20 will also return to the Idol stage, including Mike Parker, Christian Guardino, Jay Copeland, Nicolina Bozzo, Fritz Hager, Emyrson Flora, and Lady K.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the American Idol finale airs live coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 22, at 8/7c on ABC. The finale also streams live on ABC.com and the ABC app and will be available to watch via Hulu on Monday (May 23).
