Twenty years ago, Carrie Underwood arrived at her American Idol audition looking to break into the industry. Impressing judges with her stunning vocal range and stage presence, the 21-year-old Checotah, Oklahoma native walked away as the show’s season 4 winner. That would certainly not be the last the world heard of Underwood. Now 41 with 85 million record sales under her belt, the “Before He Cheats” songstress returns as a judge March 9. And if the season 23 promos are any indication, we’ll be seeing a lot of tears this year

Carrie Underwood Is Not Okay In This ‘American Idol’ Promo

For seven seasons, viewers tuned in to see the judging trio of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie interact with aspiring musicians. After Perry exited the show last May, American Idol announced that season 4 winner Carrie Underwood would take over her seat.

Certainly, Underwood will approach the show from a unique position. No former contestant has ever served as a judge before, and it’s clearly stirring up all kinds of emotions for the “Cry Pretty” singer.

In a new promo exclusively viewed by E! News, one Idol hopeful tells the judges how his grandparents raised him “from the moment I turned 2.”

“She put everything she had in me all these years,” he said of his grandmother, who joins him onstage.

Instant tears from Underwood. “You okay over there?” Luke Bryan jokingly asks.

“I’m not,” the country star replies tearfully.

A New Season of ‘American Idol’ Starts Soon

Viewers can see Carrie Underwood take her place at the American Idol judging table when the new season premieres March 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

“This show is for people that have the talent, have the dream, and they just need a chance,” Underwood said in a new promo.

The “Blown Away” hitmaker’s presence isn’t the only change this season. Country star Jelly Roll also joins the set as the show’s first-ever “artist in residence.” The “Son of a Sinner” singer, who previously appeared as a guest mentor during season 22, will dispense firsthand advice to contestants once they make it to Hollywood Week.

“I’m ‘American Idol’s’ Artist in Residence’!” Jelly Roll exclaimed in a video message. “I feel like I’m giving them the energy they need. I’m uplifting and trying to get ’em going!”