Carrie Underwood’s career as a musician took off in 2004 when she auditioned for the TV series “American Idol” and won the judges’ hearts. She not only won the hearts of the judges, but America too, beating runner-up Bo Bice in the 2005 finale episode.
Since, Underwood’s career as a female musician has skyrocketed, being one of the top selling acts in all of country music.
She has won over 100 major awards in her career, including eight Grammy Awards, 16 American Country Music (ACM) Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards and seven Country Music Association Awards. Additionally, she is “the first female in history” to win the ‘Entertainer of the Year Award’ at the ACM Award Show, and the only female to win it three times.
Photo via UMG Nashville
A female icon
With over 66 million records worldwide, 28 No. 1 recorded singles and seven “certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum” albums by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Underwood continues to sell out arena tours across North America and the U.K.
During her performance at the Grand Ole Opry in October of 2021, she was surprised with plaques to honor two recent career milestones: “the 9x RIAA Platinum certification” of her “Some Hearts” debut album and “the 7x Platinum certification” of her “Before He Cheats” hit single.
In the first 15 years of her career, she has achieved Gold and Platinum history with over 70 million RIAA certifications.
Not only has Underwood thrived in her career as a female musician, but she has also emerged as a multimedia star. She wrote her first book, “Find Your Path,” which was “an instant New York Times bestseller.” In addition, she also created CALIA by Carrie Underwood, a fitness and lifestyle brand inspired by her passion for health and wellness.
Underwood began her residency in Las Vegas in December 2021 and has extended the residency several times since. In addition, she starred in the show opener for “Sunday Night Football” on NBC for 12 seasons.
Back to where it all began
Circling back to where it all began, ABC announced on Aug. 1, 2024, that the new judge for “American Idol” will be the Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood. This announcement was broadcast through a video revisiting Underwood’s audition 20 years ago. Underwood is the first “American Idol” alum to become a judge.
Photo via Instagram
Ryan Seacrest, the host on the TV series for over two decades, said, “It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of @americanidol 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table. Welcome home, @carrieunderwood!”
Underwood spoke on her new role as a judge on the show and said, “I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind. And I think that’s the whole point, ‘cause people are coming in and, you know, it’s dreams. And you’re a part of somebody’s story from that moment on.”
Just as the judges on Season 4 of “American Idol,” Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, were a part of Underwood’s moment 20 years ago and still are, she will now be a part of that moment for someone else too.
She proves to be a true representation of someone on “American Idol” who arrived with a dream and has since become an incredible superstar.
This article was submitted by guest author Christina Hunt of UA’s Platform Magazine.