Season 23 of American Idol is officially underway! After the first three auditions aired in a special following The Oscars on March 2, the first full episode followed on Sunday, March 9. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie had tough decisions to make as they watched performers in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

Baylee Littrell, who was identified on screen as a 21-year-old college student from Alpharetta, Georgia, previously released a country song in 2018. Last month, he teased his “Idol” audition on Instagram, encouraging fans to tune in for the season premiere. “Bubba I can’t wait!!!!! Good Luck we’re all counting on you hahaha,” Brian commented.

Right after she watched herself on the premiere of 'American Idol,' one of Underwood's beloved chickens came down with a potentially deadly illness.

Underwood received rave reviews for her first episode, with many viewers taking to X to admit that they prefer her over Perry. “Carrie is so much better than Katy Perry,” one person wrote. Another said, “Jukebox Carrie Underwood is way better than Katy Perry sorry not sorry,” and someone else added, “Hate to say this… I’m glad Katy left.”