Carrie Underwood praises Keith Urban as 'American Idol' judge

Carrie Underwood has praised the hiring of Keith Urban as an American Idol judge.

Urban has joined American Idol's new judging panel for 2013, also consisting of veteran Randy Jackson and popstars Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.



Underwood, a former American Idol winner, spoke of her enthusiasm about Urban as a judge in an interview with Parade.

"I think it's about time [they had a country music star as a judge]," Underwood quipped.

She added: "There have been so many country artists to come from the show, so why not get a country-loving judge in the mix? He'll do a great job."

Urban previously served as a coach on the Australian version of The Voice.



The singer commented last month that he is "amazed at the level of talent" to have auditioned for American Idol this season.

American Idol returns to Fox with a two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 17.

Watch a new promo for American Idol below: