Carrie Underwood

S4 · Winner

As of September 25, 2026

Carrie Underwood is a judge on American Idol, the show she won in 2005. In September 2026 she was confirmed for season 25, her third season on the panel, which is expected to air in 2027. Her most recent studio album is Denim & Rhinestones (2022), and her Las Vegas residency Reflection ran from December 2021 to its scheduled final shows in April 2025.⁠[1][2][3]

Career

During or around the show

  1. 2005–March 2017After winning American Idol in 2005, signed a joint recording deal with Sony (Arista Nashville) and 19 Recordings; the partnership lasted nearly 12 years.⁠[4][33]

After the show

  1. June 14, 2005Released her first single, Inside Your Heaven, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.⁠[4]
  2. November 15, 2005Released her debut album Some Hearts, which became the best-selling album of 2006 in the United States across all genres.⁠[4]
  3. May 10, 2008Was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.⁠[4]
  4. March 2017Signed with Capitol Records Nashville, part of Universal Music Group, leaving Sony Music Nashville.⁠[4][33]
  5. September 14, 2018Released her sixth studio album Cry Pretty, her first on Capitol Nashville, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.⁠[2][4]
  6. December 2021–2025Headlined the Las Vegas residency Reflection at Resorts World Theatre from December 2021 to 2025; the final three shows were announced for April 9, 11 and 12, 2025.⁠[3][4]
  7. June 10, 2022Released her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, on Capitol Nashville.⁠[2]

Discography

TitleTypeYearLabelRIAA certificationU.S. sales
Inside Your Heaven⁠[2]Single2005Platinum⁠[2][12]
Jesus, Take the Wheel⁠[2]Single20053× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Some Hearts⁠[2]Album2005Arista Nashville, 199× Platinum⁠[2][10][11][12]7,500,000⁠[2][34]July 27, 2017
Before He Cheats⁠[2]Single200611× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Don't Forget to Remember Me⁠[2]Single2006Gold⁠[2][10][12]
So Small⁠[2]Single2007Platinum⁠[2][12]
Wasted⁠[2]Single2007Platinum⁠[2][12][18]
Carnival Ride⁠[2]Album2007Arista Nashville, 194× Platinum⁠[2][12][13]3,400,000⁠[2][35]October 11, 2015
All-American Girl⁠[2]Single20083× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Just a Dream⁠[2]Single20082× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Last Name⁠[2]Single20082× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Cowboy Casanova⁠[2]Single20094× Platinum⁠[2][12]
I Told You So (featuring Randy Travis)⁠[2]Single2009Platinum⁠[2][12][19]
Temporary Home⁠[2]Single20092× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Play On⁠[2]Album2009Arista Nashville, 193× Platinum⁠[2][12][14]2,300,000⁠[2][35]October 11, 2015
Mama's Song⁠[2]Single2010Platinum⁠[2][12]
Undo It⁠[2]Single20102× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Blown Away⁠[2]Single20125× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Good Girl⁠[2]Single20123× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Two Black Cadillacs⁠[2]Single20122× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Blown Away⁠[2]Album2012Arista Nashville, 193× Platinum⁠[2][12]1,853,200⁠[36][37]October 9, 2019
See You Again⁠[2]Single20132× Platinum⁠[2][12]
The Blown Away Tour: Live⁠[2]Other2013Arista Nashville, 19
The Sound of Music: Music from the NBC Television Event⁠[2]Soundtrack2013Sony Masterworks
Something in the Water⁠[2]Single20142× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Greatest Hits: Decade #1⁠[2][16]Compilation2014Arista Nashville, 19Platinum⁠[2][12][15][16]564,300⁠[2][38]April 18, 2017
Heartbeat⁠[2]Single2015Platinum⁠[2][12]
Little Toy Guns⁠[2]Single2015Platinum⁠[2][12][20]
Smoke Break⁠[2]Single2015Platinum⁠[2][12]
Storyteller⁠[2]Album2015Arista Nashville, 19Platinum⁠[2][12]
Church Bells⁠[2]Single20163× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Dirty Laundry⁠[2]Single2016Platinum⁠[2][12]
Cry Pretty⁠[2]Single2018Platinum⁠[2][12]
Love Wins⁠[2]Single2018Gold⁠[2][12]
The Champion (featuring Ludacris)⁠[2]Single20182× Platinum⁠[2][12]
Cry Pretty⁠[2]Album2018Capitol NashvillePlatinum⁠[2][12][17]534,000⁠[2][39]March 10, 2020
Drinking Alone⁠[2]Single2019Gold⁠[2][12]
Southbound⁠[2]Single2019Platinum⁠[2][12]
Hallelujah (with John Legend)⁠[2]Single2020Gold⁠[2][12]
My Gift⁠[2]Album2020Capitol NashvilleGold⁠[2][12]628,000⁠[2][40]December 21, 2022
My Savior⁠[2]Album2021Capitol NashvilleGold⁠[2][12]
Ghost Story⁠[2]Single2022Gold⁠[2][12]
Denim & Rhinestones⁠[2]Album2022Capitol Nashville
Out of That Truck⁠[2]Single2023Gold⁠[2][12]
Music Up, Windows Down⁠[2]EP2025uDiscover Music

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2006Academy of Country Music AwardsTop New Female Vocalist⁠[4]Won
2006CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the Year⁠[4]Won
2006CMA AwardsHorizon Award⁠[4]Won
2007CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the Year⁠[4]Won
2007Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance⁠[21][22]Jesus, Take The WheelWon
2007Grammy AwardsBest New Artist⁠[21][22]Won
2008CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the Year⁠[4]Won
2008Grammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration With Vocals⁠[21][23]Shared: Brad Paisley, Carrie UnderwoodOh LoveNominated
2008Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance⁠[21][23]Before He CheatsWon
2009Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the Year⁠[4]Won
2009Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance⁠[21][24]Last NameWon
2010Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the Year⁠[4]Won
2010Grammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration With Vocals⁠[21][25]Shared: Carrie Underwood, Randy TravisI Told You SoWon
2010Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance⁠[21][25]Just A DreamNominated
2011Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance⁠[21][29]Temporary HomeNominated
2012Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo Performance⁠[21][30]Mama's SongNominated
2013Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo Performance⁠[21][26]Blown AwayWon
2015Grammy AwardsBest Country Duo/Group Performance⁠[21][27]Shared: Miranda Lambert, Carrie UnderwoodSomethin' BadNominated
2015Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo Performance⁠[21][27]Something In The WaterWon
2016CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the Year⁠[4]Won
2016Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo Performance⁠[21][31]Little Toy GunsNominated
2017Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo Performance⁠[21][32]Church BellsNominated
2018CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the Year⁠[4]Won
2020Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the Year⁠[4]Won
2022Grammy AwardsBest Country Duo/Group Performance⁠[21][28]Shared: Jason Aldean, Carrie UnderwoodIf I Didn't Love YouNominated
2022Grammy AwardsBest Roots Gospel Album⁠[21][28]My SaviorWon

Other activity

  • 2008Co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards telecast for twelve years, mostly with Brad Paisley, then stepped down as co-host after the 2019 show.⁠[4]
  • April 2011Made her feature film debut in Soul Surfer, playing youth leader Sarah Hill.⁠[4]
  • 2013Has performed the opening theme song of NBC Sunday Night Football since 2013.⁠[4]
  • December 5, 2013Played Maria von Trapp in NBC's live television production The Sound of Music Live!.⁠[4]
  • March 3, 2020Published her first book, Find Your Path, which debuted at No. 2 on a New York Times best seller list.⁠[4][41]
  • 2025Became a judge on ABC's American Idol, replacing Katy Perry, beside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan; in September 2026 she was confirmed for season 25, her third season.⁠[1][4]

Sources

41 sources

  1. Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie Confirm American Idol For 25th Season — Holler, published September 25, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Article body: “Season 25 will mark Bryan and Richie's 10th season together, while Underwood returns for her third.”
    • Article body: “the show is expected to return in 2027 and auditions are already underway.”
  2. Carrie Underwood discography — Wikipedia, updated September 11, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Albums, Studio albums table, last row: “Denim & Rhinestones; Released: June 10, 2022; Label: Capitol Nashville”
    • Studio albums table, Some Hearts row, Certifications column: “RIAA: 9× Platinum”
    • Studio albums table, Carnival Ride row, Certifications column: “RIAA: 4× Platinum”
    • Studio albums table, Play On row, Certifications column: “RIAA: 3× Platinum”
    • Studio albums table, Blown Away row, Certifications column: “RIAA: 3× Platinum”
    • Compilation albums table, Certifications column: “RIAA: Platinum”
    • Studio albums table, Storyteller row, Certifications column: “RIAA: Platinum”
    • Lead section, paragraph on Storyteller: “The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on October 24, 2016.”
  3. Carrie Underwood Announces Final Shows For Las Vegas Residency — antiMusic, published October 15, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Paragraphs 1 and 3: “Underwood will present three final performances of REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency on April 9, 11 & 12, 2025”
    • Paragraphs 1 and 3: “Since its premiere in December 2021, Underwood's REFLECTION remains a can't-miss show in Las Vegas”
    • Paragraph 1: “Underwood will present three final performances of REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency on April 9, 11 & 12, 2025”
  4. Carrie Underwood — Wikipedia, updated October 3, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Lead sentence: “born March 10, 1983”
    • Infobox, Born line (birth_date): {{Birth date and age|1983|03|10}}
    • Career, 2004–2005: American Idol: “On May 25, 2005, Underwood became the season four winner.”
    • Career, 2005–2007: Some Hearts and breakthrough, paragraph 1: “her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", on June 14, 2005. The song debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100”
    • Career, 2005–2007: Some Hearts and breakthrough, paragraph 2: “Some Hearts became the best-selling album of 2006 in all genres in the United States.”
    • Career, 2007–2009: Carnival Ride and commercial success: “On May 10, 2008, she was officially inducted by Garth Brooks into the Grand Ole Opry.”
    • Career, 2015–2017: Storyteller, label change, and injury: “In March 2017, Underwood signed with Universal Music Group's Capitol Records Nashville after being with Arista Nashville for nearly twelve years.”
    • Career, 2018–2019: Cry Pretty: “Her sixth studio album, Cry Pretty, was released on September 14, 2018.”
  5. American Idol season 4 — Wikipedia, updated September 14, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Elimination chart row Carrie Underwood: Pl. 1, Winner in the Finale column (5/25); ratings table episode 'American Idol Season 4 Finale', May 25, 2005
    • Lead section: “Carrie Underwood won the season with approximately 500 million votes cast in the season and 37 million for the finale, while Bo Bice was the runner-up.”
  6. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Contestants table, row Carrie Underwood: season 4, place finish Winner
  7. New 'Idol' Vows To Stay Country — CBS News (CBS/AP), published May 25, 2005. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Article text: “Carrie Underwood, the country sweetheart who beguiled national television audiences with her strong voice and bright smile, is this year's "American Idol," defeating Southern rocker Bo Bice”
  8. Who's The Top-Selling Idol? — Pollstar, published March 20, 2009. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraphs 2 and 3: “Underwood, the Season 4 champ, has already sold 9,408,000 albums.”
    • Paragraph 3: “the only "Idol" alums who rank among the top 200 album sellers of the Nielsen/SoundScan era”
  9. Chart Watch Extra: The American Idol Alumni Association — Yahoo! Music (Chart Watch, Paul Grein), published March 20, 2009. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Ranked list, entry 2: “2. Carrie Underwood , 9,408,000.”
    • Paragraph before the list: “Each artist's name is followed by their total album sales tally, through this week.”
  10. Some Hearts — Wikipedia, updated September 22, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Commercial performance: “In October 2021, the album was certified nine times Platinum”
    • Singles section, Don't Forget to Remember Me paragraph: “has been certified Gold by the RIAA as of August 12, 2013”
  11. Carrie Underwood's Debut Album 'Some Hearts' Certified 9X Platinum — The Boot, published October 27, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Paragraph 1: “The RIAA has certified Some Hearts 9X Platinum for sales in excess of 9 million units.”
  12. RIAA Gold & Platinum search: Carrie Underwood — RIAA. Official record. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  13. Carnival Ride — Wikipedia, updated July 27, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “In October 2016, the album was certified 4× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)”
  14. Play On (Carrie Underwood album) — Wikipedia, updated July 25, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “it was certified 3× Platinum by RIAA on October 24, 2016.”
  15. Greatest Hits: Decade Number 1 — Wikipedia, updated February 1, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “The album was certified Platinum on January 8, 2016, as 500,000 copies shipped but counted as a million for double album.”
  16. Carrie Underwood's 'Greatest Hits: Decade #1' Certified Platinum — MusicRow, published January 13, 2016. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1 and 2: “According to RIAA, 'each unit in a multi-disc set counts as one unit toward album certification.'”
    • Paragraph 1: “the 25-song, double-disc collection”
  17. Cry Pretty — Wikipedia, updated October 3, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “Cry Pretty was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 23, 2018, and Platinum on February 12, 2020.”
  18. Wasted (Carrie Underwood song) — Wikipedia, updated September 22, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “On August 10, 2015, "Wasted" was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America.”
  19. I Told You So (Randy Travis song) — Wikipedia, updated June 13, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Carrie Underwood version, chart performance: “As of January 2013, the single was certified Platinum, according to RIAA”
  20. Little Toy Guns — Wikipedia, updated June 13, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Commercial performance: “The song was officially certified Platinum by the RIAA on July 23, 2020.”
  21. Carrie Underwood Grammy Awards and Nominations, Song & Bio — Recording Academy. Official record. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2007 Best Female Country Vocal Performance row (winner row): “2007 Best Female Country Vocal Performance Carrie Underwood Jesus, Take The Wheel”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2007 Best New Artist row (winner row): “2007 Best New Artist Carrie Underwood”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2008 Best Female Country Vocal Performance row (winner row): “2008 Best Female Country Vocal Performance Carrie Underwood Before He Cheats”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2009 Best Female Country Vocal Performance row (winner row): “2009 Best Female Country Vocal Performance Carrie Underwood Last Name”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2010 Best Country Collaboration With Vocals row (winner row): “2010 Best Country Collaboration With Vocals Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis I Told You So”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2013 Best Country Solo Performance row (winner row): “2013 Best Country Solo Performance Carrie Underwood Blown Away”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2015 Best Country Solo Performance row (winner row): “2015 Best Country Solo Performance Carrie Underwood Something In The Water”
    • All Grammy Awards and Nominations table, 2022 Best Roots Gospel Album row (winner row): “2022 Best Roots Gospel Album Carrie Underwood My Savior”
  22. 49th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated May 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  23. 50th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  24. 51st Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 12, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  25. 52nd Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated July 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  26. 55th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 19, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  27. 57th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated August 12, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  28. 64th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 13, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  29. 53rd Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  30. 54th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 8, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  31. 58th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated September 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  32. 59th Annual Grammy Awards — Wikipedia, updated October 3, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Infobox, date
  33. Carrie Underwood Signs With Capitol Records Nashville — Taste of Country, published March 28, 2017. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (6)
    • Paragraph 2: “marks an end to a nearly 12-year partnership with Sony and Arista Nashville.”
    • Paragraph 2: “Underwood signed a joint deal with Sony and 19 Recordings.”
    • Final paragraph: “19 Recordings is not a part of this new record deal.”
    • Paragraph 1: “Carrie Underwood has signed with Capitol Records Nashville (part of Universal Music Group)”
    • Paragraph 2: “After winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood signed a joint deal with Sony and 19 Recordings.”
    • Paragraph 1: “Carrie Underwood has signed with Capitol Records Nashville (part of Universal Music Group), meaning she's no longer on Sony Music Nashville.”
  34. Billboard's 2017 Country Power Players List Revealed: Music City's Most Influential — Billboard, published July 27, 2017. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  35. Ask Billboard: Chart Beat's 'Piano Man' Returns! — Billboard, published October 11, 2015. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  36. List of American Idol alumni album sales in the United States — Wikipedia, updated September 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Artists with sales of 500,000 or more, Carrie Underwood, Blown Away cell: “Blown Away (May 1, 2012) Arista Nashville 1,853,200”
  37. Top Country Catalog Album Sales Chart: October 9, 2019 — Roughstock, published October 9, 2019. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  38. Top Country Catalog Album Sales Chart: April 18, 2017 — Roughstock, published April 18, 2017. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  39. Top 10 Country Albums Pure Sales Chart: March 9, 2020 — Roughstock, published March 10, 2020. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  40. Why Music Retail Is Having a Blue Christmas — Billboard, published December 21, 2022. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  41. Carrie Underwood's New Book Debuts On 'New York Times' Best Seller List — MusicRow, published March 12, 2020. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Paragraph 1: “has rocketed to the No. 2 spot on the New York Times bestseller list”

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