Carrie Underwood Weighing ‘American Idol’ Return As She ‘Plans On Furthering Her Acting Ambitions’ (Exclusive)

As Carrie Underwood keeps fans guessing on whether she’ll be back as a judge on the next season of American Idol, a source says the country star is interested in dipping her toes into a Hollywood acting career.

“Carrie did one cameo a few years back and she thoroughly enjoyed it,” a source exclusively tells Star, referring to Underwood’s appearance in Cobra Kai season 4. “It would give her a lot of satisfaction to get back on a set and tackle a real role this time.”

“She’s spent time in L.A. doing American Idol and feels she’s got a better grip on the Hollywood acting scene now,” continues the source. “It would be a great springboard whether she chooses to do another season of Idol or not, that’s still up in the air.”

“One thing’s for sure, she plans on furthering her acting ambitions,” the source adds, saying it would be “sweet” for her to accomplish what rumored rival Taylor Swift “hasn’t been able to do” and make “inroads in that sphere.”

Talk of a potential feud between the two singers swirled after Underwood, 42, performed “America the Beautiful” at the presidential inauguration in January.

“Some people in the industry do think this is Carrie’s way of marking her territory as ‘Miss Americana’ as her side of the political aisle won the election,” the insider told Daily Mail in April.

However, another insider close to Swift, 35, downplayed the supposed rivalry, telling Star that the “Mine” artist has “always respected her roots in country and put out two country albums last year.”

Swift and Underwood have not publicly addressed the rumors of tension between them.

This comes after an insider told Star that the “Before He Cheats” singer isn’t sold on the idea of doing another season of American Idol. She’s reportedly “let bosses know she’s not 100 percent sure” – and finances could play into her decision to stay or go.

“There’s talk Carrie wants more money,” the source said at the time. “It’s been a bumpy ride and she’s not sure it’s worth the pain without a nice incentive.”

Life & Style reported that Underwood made around $12.5 million serving as a judge on the hit talent competition show – half of what Katy Perry was rumored to have made during her time on the series.

“Katy’s enormous salary was an outlier,” a source told the outlet, “and it was that high because ABC was asking for a lot of her time away from making music and performing, more time than she had ever given something other than her own pop career.”