Despite growing backlash from American Idol fans, host Ryan Seacrest made it clear he holds judge Carrie Underwood in high regard. During a recent appearance on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, Ryan, 50, was asked to pick a favorite among the show’s top 3 contestants. With a quick-witted response, he dodged the question by naming Carrie Underwood—playfully referencing the former Idol winner turned guest judge rather than choosing a finalist. His lighthearted answer was also a subtle show of support amid mounting fan criticism against her.

The backlash began after the May 12 episode, when Carrie offered pointed feedback to contestant Jamal Roberts following his performance of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. While fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan gave Jamal a standing ovation, Carrie stayed seated and critiqued him for not taking full advantage of the moment, saying he needed to move around more and bring full energy to the stage.

Her remarks didn’t sit well with fans, who quickly took to social media to express frustration. Many felt her critique was unfair, pointing out that other contestants like John Foster and Breanna Nix had performed with minimal movement yet received glowing praise. Some accused Carrie of holding Jamal to a different standard, with comments calling her tone “harsh,” “rude,” and “unbalanced.” A number of viewers even demanded that she not return as a judge next season.

While Carrie has yet to publicly respond to the criticism, Seacrest’s public praise may serve as a quiet defense, reinforcing her legacy as a respected alum of the franchise and a credible voice on the panel. Still, the controversy has sparked a wider conversation about consistency in judging and how critique is delivered—especially as the competition heads into its final, most emotional stretch.

Whether the backlash will have any long-term effect remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: as the finale approaches, tensions are running just as high offstage as they are on it.