American Idol’s Carrie Underwood is the newest judge on the panel, and though her experience with the show and emotional side have pushed her to fail in her new role, I think she can turn things around this season. Carrie, whose judging gig on American Idol season 23 marks the first-ever winner to return to the series as a judge, has been capturing the hearts of millions for years. As the winner of American Idol season 4, Carrie has become a country mega-star in the years since her season, and though she’s appeared on Idol before, judging is new.

Carrie’s time on American Idol comes on the heels of the show’s reboot judge, Katy Perry, choosing to leave the series after a handful of seasons. While Katy, along with her fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, were chosen for their illustrious industry experience, it’s clear there were some things going on behind the scenes to make her time on Idol difficult. Katy’s given Carrie her blessing, and while the pop sensation believes Carrie will be an impactful judge, I’m not sure she has the right idea. After seeing an American Idol preview, Carrie needs to make some changes.

Carrie may need to deal with the fact that her role as an American Idol judge will tap into emotions she hasn’t felt in years.

Carrie Underwood Told A Contestant What To Say

She Had The Best Of Intentions

Although she’s been working hard to ensure that she’s prepared for the task of being an American Idol judge, one of the earliest previews of Carrie on Idol proves she doesn’t know her role yet. During an audition shared in a preview clip by Parade, Carrie told contestant Breanna Nix to “never say I’m just a stay-at-home mom” when Breanna referred to herself as such. While Carrie was obviously coming at Breanna with good intentions, trying to ensure she valued herself and her talent, I don’t think it’s Carrie’s place to dictate how people express themselves.

Carrie’s comments may have been positive to her, but Breanna sharing her identity as a stay-at-home mother was something she wanted to communicate with the judges. Carrie choosing to overstep her boundaries as a judge and share her thoughts on the way Breanna presented herself was too much. While Carrie may be excited for her new role, she needs to work harder to remember her place and comment on the performances rather than the contestants’ communication or self-expression.

Carrie’s Overshadowing The Contestants

She’s Too Big Of A Star

Carrie’s career has been one of the biggest to come out of American Idol, and while she’s great to have as a part of the show, her star-power is simply too massive for the contestants to get the attention they deserve. Throughout her career, Carrie has been one of the few American Idol winners or contestants to ever be able to make it over the threshold of superstardom. As a country star for nearly two decades, Carrie’s been working and gaining traction for years. The American Idol season 23 contestants who are looking for their big break may feel overshadowed.

Lionel Richie Said She’s A “Nervous Wreck”

Her Fellow Judges Don’t Have Faith In Her

Carrie’s fellow judge and superstar Lionel has been open about his time on the show in the past, and shared some feedback about the new American Idol judge that doesn’t bode well for her working on the panel. Sharing that Carrie was “a nervous wreck” to TV Insider, Lionel explained that he could relate to her feelings from his early days on Idol.

“It was the same thing we went through: How do I say that many no’s? [Carrie] was a nervous wreck. I go home some nights going, ‘Okay, how can I help this contestant?’ We get so invested in their stories and lives that we almost become the parents. We want for them to win in life.”

While Carrie’s handling her anxiety well, it’s clear that she’s having a hard time emotionally detaching from American Idol season 23’s contestants. For Carrie specifically, who’s been on the journey with Idol, it may wind up even more difficult to see contestants fumble or fail. Carrie may need to deal with the fact that her role as an American Idol judge will tap into emotions she hasn’t felt in years, and push her to be less sensitive than she likely wants to. While she has some ground to make up, I think Carrie can find her way on American Idol.

American Idol premieres on Sunday, March 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.