While it appeared at the beginning of the season Carrie would ‘definitely be back,’ things have since drastically changed

CARRIE Underwood’s future on American Idol is ‘up in the air’ as she may be ‘one and done’ after appearing ‘miserable’ on set, The U.S. Sun can reveal.

The country superstar has had a controversial stint as a judge and is “struggling” being so far from her family, who live in Nashville as she now spends most of her time in Los Angeles.

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Carrie Underwood judges the Top 20 contestants on American IdolCredit: American Idol

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Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie judge season 23 of American IdolCredit: Getty
Carrie, 42, has spoken out about struggling to fit in with the Hollywood crowd – which may play a major factor in whether or not she returns to American Idol.

While it’s “too early” for casting next season and “no decisions” have been made for season 24’s judging panel, the show will have an idea of who will be back “soon,” an insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun:

“They’ll have more of an idea in the next month or so. Nothing is off the table.

“At the beginning of filming, everyone thought [Carrie] would be back next year.

“Now, it’s much more up in the air,” the source claimed.

They added: “Her Idol future is much more uncertain now than it was and I think that feeling is mutual.

“She seems miserable being away from her family and in LA this much.

“I don’t think she wants to have to answer to TV networks and play the ‘Hollywood’ game so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she’s one and done.

“But again, no decisions have been made yet from either side.”

Prior to accepting the Idol job, Carrie primarily resided in an affluent suburb just outside of Nashville on a property that includes 400 acres of land – a far cry from the hustle of Hollywood.

She lives there with her sons, Isiah, 10, and Jacob, 6, and her retired hockey star husband, Mike Fisher, 44.

At one point this season, Carrie got candid with a contestant about struggling within the entertainment industry and being in LA with her Southern upbringing and Christian beliefs.

American Idol’s Carrie Underwood looked ‘furious’ and ’embarrassed’ behind the scenes after Ryan Seacrest’s live TV snub
“I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you.

“It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that.

“I want to tell you that I’m proud of you guys,” she tearfully told a pair of singers, Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill, who auditioned in March with a cover of Brandon Lake’s spiritual song, Gratitude.

KEEP THE FAITH

Carrie’s faith was at the forefront during the show’s Easter special, which featured an array of powerful gospel performances.

Sunday’s Easter episode marked the first time in the show’s 23 seasons that they have done a completely faith-based special.

While Carrie supported the idea, it’s something that divided some of the staffers behind the scenes, an insider claimed to The U.S. Sun.

“It’s the first time they’ve done a faith-based episode and the crew was polarized by it.

“Some didn’t think it’s completely appropriate but felt uncomfortable speaking up about it while others saw no problem with it as it didn’t focus on a specific religion.

“But some people who work on the show liked it primarily because of the religious aspect. Again, a polarizing topic. People felt different ways about it,” the source alleged.