“I feel like I’ve been so blessed to obviously be so rooted in country music, but I’ve been able to be a part of many other genres or music as well,” the 41-year-old said during a surprise appearance at SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour in Las Vegas on Aug. 23. “I mean, I’ve got a song with Papa Roach right now. It’s a lot of fun.”

As for what she plans to bring to the judging table alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, she noted, “I like to think that I am versatile and, hopefully, when I listen to people come and audition, I can have any lens I need to put on in terms of what music I’m thinking.”

But unlike Cowell’s infamous sharp-tongued critiques, Underwood plans to lead with kindness.

“I think I can be honest and constructive, but still kind,” she added. “And I think that’s the whole point, because people are coming in and it’s dreams. You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”

While fans wait for Underwood’s judging debut, keep reading to catch up on where other American Idol alums are today.