Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood in 2021

**Carrie Marie Underwood** (born March 10, 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and label representative. She rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of *American Idol* in 2005. She would sign to Capitol Records as a label representative in late 2018. In late 2021, Underwood would announce her resignation from Capitol Records, and would sign with RCA Records at the beginning of 2022, once again holding the position of label representative.

Underwood's musical début happened in 2018, when she released a cover rendition of the Jennifer Nettles track "Drunk in Heels", which would later go on to peak within the top five of the Billboard Hot Singles Chart. Underwood's follow-up single was a collaboration of the Reba McEntire classic "Does He Love You", alongside singer Kylie Minogue. This collaboration would become Underwood's first number-one single. Underwood would also receive her first number-one album on the Billboard Top Albums Chart with *Classic Country* - a collective of cover songs from the country music genre. Underwood would then release her own original music the following year with the release of *Spring Break*.

Underwood is recognized as one of the best-selling artists industry, being placed in 12th place on the official Billboard Artist Rankings, with over 4,800 chart points. Underwood is also the best-selling country music artist in the industry. As of December 2022, she has three Billboard Hot Singles Chart number-ones and three number-one albums on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. She has also won five Billboard Music Awards (out of a total 21 nominations), including being officially honored with the You Can Sit With Us Legacy Award.

## Life and Career

### Early Life and Career Beginnings

Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Carole (*née* Shatswell) and Steve Underwood. She has two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie, and was raised on her parents' farm in the nearby rural town of Checotah. Her father worked in a paper mill while her mother taught elementary school. During her childhood, Underwood performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show, and sang at her local church, First Free Will Baptist Church. She later sang for local events in Checotah, including Old Settler's Day and the Lions Club.

While at Checotah High School, she was an Honor Society member, a cheerleader, and played basketball and softball. Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian. She chose not to pursue singing after graduation. She said, "After high school, I pretty much gave up on the dream of singing. I had reached a point in my life where I had to be practical and prepare for my future in the 'real world'". She attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, graduating *magna cum laude,* in 2006, with a bachelor's degree in mass communication and an emphasis in journalism. She spent part of one of her summers as a page for Oklahoma State Representative Bobby Frame. She also waited tables at a pizzeria, worked at a zoo, and at a veterinary clinic. Underwood is an alumna of the Alpha Iota chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

For two summers, she performed in Northeastern State University's Downtown Country show in Tahlequah. She competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004.

### 2004-2005: American Idol

In mid-2004, Underwood auditioned for *American Idol* in St. Louis, Missouri, singing Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me". After she sang "Could've Been" by Tiffany on the top 12 girls night, judge Simon Cowell commented that she would be one of the favorites to win the competition. During the top 11 finalists' performance on the March 22, 2005, *Idol* episode, Underwood sang a rendition of the number one 1980s rock hit "Alone", made famous by Heart, and Cowell predicted that Underwood would not only win the competition, but she would also outsell all previous *Idol* winners. One of the show's producers later said she dominated the voting, winning every week by a large margin. She gained a fan base known as "Carrie's Care Bears" during the course of the show. During the final, she sang with Rascal Flatts on "Bless the Broken Road". On May 25, 2005, Underwood became the season four winner. Her winnings included a recording contract worth at least a million dollars, use of a private jet for a year, and a Ford Mustang convertible.

### 2018-2019: Capitol Records and *Classic Country*

After winning *American Idol*, Underwood declined to released the official Idol single "Inside Your Heaven", and was subsequently dropped from her record label at the time. She would further decline any record deals until she found one she was comfortable with. In 2018, Underwood would sign to Katy Perry's music label Capitol Records as their official label representative.

Later that year, Underwood announced she was working on an album of cover songs that defined what country music meant to her - spanning from hit singles to deep album cuts. This collection would come to be known as *Classic Country* and would be released alongside two singles; "Drunk in Heels" (originally by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland) and "Does He Love You" (originally by Reba McEntire) with Kylie Minogue. Underwood would receive her first number-ones on the Billboard Hot Singles Chart and Billboard Top Albums Chart with "Does He Love You" and *Classic Country* respectively. Underwood would further support the record with the Classic Country Tour, featuring a majority of songs from the record, and a medley of songs from her *American Idol* journey. The Classic Country Tour would go on to gross over 30 million dollars. Underwood would then also receive her first nomination at the Billboard Music Awards, for Best Label Representative.

### 2019-2020: Original Music and *Classic Country 2*

The following year, Underwood would finally release her first album containing original music. *Spring Break* was released on March 28, 2019 - featuring twelve original songs, including the lead single "Think Again". These songs would mostly sit in the country music genre, with influences from other genres including pop, rock, disco and gospel. A selection of songs from the record sit more in the roots genre of music, than natively country. Underwood stated that the album was mostly a party record, with some deep cuts, to circumvent the "serious" label attached to her as a country atist. The album would span three more singles, including the number-two hit "If You Don't Like Me", remixed to feature fellow country artist Miranda Lambert.

In October of 2019, Underwood would release *Classic Country 2*; a sequel of the original album, featuring twelve more cover tracks. The lead single for this record was a cover of "Goodbye Earl", originally by The Chicks, with fellow artists Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. Both records would once again top their respective charts. Underwood would then support both *Spring Break* and *Classic Country 2* with the Her Country Tour - featuring her original songs and a selection of cover tracks from the *Classic Country* series. Underwood would receive six nominations at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards - where she would receive a total of three awards including Best New Artist.

In 2020, Underwood would take part in an industry-wide musical hiatus, planning a comeback for 2021.

### 2021: Return to Music and *Southern Charm*

Underwood would return to the industry in February 2021 with the release of the blockbuster single "Dishwater Blonde" featuring fellow blonde Christina Aguilera. "Dishwater Blonde" would shortly become Underwood's first platinum-certified single and her best selling single to date. Underwood would follow it up with a second platinum-certified single "Ghost of a No-Good Man". Both songs would feature on Underwood's second studio album *Southern Charm* - Underwood's first album to miss the number-one spot, but also her first platinum album certification. Underwood would then embark on the Girl From the South Tour to support the record. It would become her most successful tour, grossing over 170 million dollars.

The following year, Underwood would announce her newest single "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" - a cover of the Elle King and Miranda Lambert classic. "Drunk" would be released on April 22, 2022 as a collaboration with fellow musician Gwen Stefani. It was Underwood's first single distributed by RCA Records and would act as the lead single for *Classic Country 3* - Underwood's third cover album. *Classic Country 3* was also released on April 22, 2022 featuring twelve new cover renditions and becoming Underwood's fifth top-five album. The album was reissued a week later with an additional four covers. It would also be bundled with Underwood's first-ever live album *Classic Country Live* released on the same day.

On September 3, 2022, Underwood announced her first ever remix album *Sunbelt Sounds: Spring Break*, due for release on October 7, 2022. This album would feature deconstructured or reimagined rerecordings of all sixteen songs from the original *Spring Break*, one previously unreleased song from the base record's writing sessions and a total of seven new songs made to fit the theme of the original record. "Love Ain't a Bad Thing" was chosen to be the only official single from this album. "Love Ain't a Bad Thing" would later become Underwood's first original song to reach number-one on the Hot Singles Chart. Two weeks after the release of *Sunbelt Sounds: Spring Break*, Underwood would release the follow-up record in *Sunbelt Sounds* style; *Sunbelt Sounds: Southern Charm*.

## Artistry

### Music and Voice

Underwood's music is primarly rooted in the country genre, with heavy influences from other genres; the most notable of which are pop and rock. Other genres that are influenced in Underwood's music include disco, honkytonk, folk, gospel and rhythmic. Underwood's discography also contains several songs that are pure roots songs, rather than her usual country-style.

Underwood has been highly acclaimed for her vocal talents. David Wild of *Rolling Stone* has praised her voice, saying that "she can hit any note". Her vocal range has been described as "enormous", with critics highlighting her ability to hold notes for an extended period of time. *Billboard* describes her vocal ability as "freakish". Concert critics have pointed out that "she'll let loose with an improbably long note that runs through more octaves than you knew existed". When asked if it ever becomes difficult to belt at such high intensity during her 90–120 minute live shows, Underwood responded, "I'm too proud to drop keys. I won't do it. Maybe the older I get, I'll write some songs in lower keys so it'll be easier. I've always been pretty good as far as stamina onstage. Being able to work out and stay physically strong is important... So far, it's worked for me. I'm just blessed at being able to be loud for long periods of time." Fellow country music singer Randy Travis paid high praises to Underwood's voice when asked about her cover of his 1988 hit song "I Told You So", saying that "her voice is so much better suited to the song. I have a baritone voice, and her soprano voice really fits well with the range of the song. Her ability to get into the upper register of her voice and just hold those high notes is great."

### Influences

Underwood has credited "music as a whole" as her major influence, since she "grew up listening to music" and "there were songs, different kind of songs coming at me from everywhere". But she has occasionally mentioned rock acts like Queen, George Michael, The Rolling Stones, and My Chemical Romance as influences. Among country artists, she has listed George Strait, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, and Garth Brooks as influences.

## Other Ventures

### Activism

Underwood is known for her charity work and support of various chartiable organizations over the span of her career. The most notable of which is the Angry Nuns Against Troye Sivan community, where Underwood holds a membership. As a prominent Christian celebrity and feminist, Underwood joined the community when it was formerly named Angry Nuns Against Adam Levine. Underwood would personally be tasked with the creation of the re-designed logo at the time. In the Summer of 2021, Underwood would take a work-based vacation with fellow artist and collaborator Christina Aguilera to search for missing member Taylor Swift. In November of 2021, a scandal would rock the ANATS community, and Perry would be forcibly expelled from the community and its leadership role. Underwood would then be promoted to chairwoman, and would officially rename the community to Angry Nuns Against Katy Perry.

Underwood has also lended her support to a number of other causes. In the Summer of 2021, Underwood revealed that she had engaged in charity work for the benefit of Aguilera. She revealed that she had helped Aguilera with the formatting of her trending challenge for that week, and was praised for her generosity by fellow artists in the industry.

### Capitol Records and RCA Records

In late-2018, Underwood would sign to Katy Perry's record label Capitol Records, where she would take on the label representative role. Underwood's role involved representing the label with her musical releases, and also being available for contact from media sources or artists within the label. She would be recognised as second-in-command to executive Perry. In November 2021, due to the scandal involving the Angry Nuns Against Katy Perry community, Underwood would announce her resignation from her post at Capitol Records, shortly before the label closed down. Her contract would be transferred to the nearby RCA Records from the start of 2022, where she would remain a label representative.

### Film and Television

Underwood's first television appearance was, of course, *American Idol* where she would win the 2005 season and launch her music career shortly after. Seventeen years later, she would return to reality television with the launch of her own reality tv show *Southern Charm School* - a revival of the VH1 *Charm School* series, now produced by Kandi Corporation. This show would see Underwood as the headmistress of the school attempting to teach various unkempt celebrities the ways of charm and etiquette.

Underwood would also divulge into becoming an actress as she appeared in the 2021 film *What Happens in Vegas... Stays in Pop Industry* undertaking the role of Nickie Red. The following year she would play Lisbeth Fischer - known as Leader Liz - in the HBO Max original series *The Midnight Man ™*.

### Politics

Underwood mostly shies away from publicly revealing her political beliefs. However, there are certain exceptions. Underwood, who is a proud Christian and confident in her straight sexuality, has occasionally spoken out against certain members of the LGBT+ community, including Troye Sivan and Niall Horan, usually making comments aimed at their "kind" or "lifestyle".

> A message to Troye Sivan - if you're going to make hateful remarks to the STR8+ and Christian Community then know your facts: After decades of hard won scientific research - there are life saving medicines available to "your kind". These include not listening to disco, not wearing pink and praying to the lord every hour of every day. Thank God. And your sexist remarks about women who's pussies need to "stay away from you" only encourage more discrimination against women who fight daily against the oppression of living under the constraints of the Male Gaze. People like you are the reason we are still living in a world divided by fear. All Human beings should be treated with dignity and respect - as long as they are straight and Christian. AWOMEN.
>
> Carrie Underwood, Tootland (July 30, 2021)

While Underwood has not revealed which political party she supports, Underwood is known to be friends with Republican advocates Donald Trump and Gwen Stefani - having previously invited them on a work-based vacation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Underwood has been said to be anti-mask in her political stance.

## Personal Life

### Marriage and Children

Underwood began dating NHL player Mike Fisher in late 2008, and they became engaged in December 2009. According to the Canadian press, Fisher proposed in Ottawa on December 20, 2009. Underwood's engagement ring features a yellow diamond and was valued at $150,000. On July 10, 2010, Underwood and Fisher wed at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Greensboro, Georgia, with more than 250 people in attendance. The couple's first son was born in 2015. In 2019, their second son was born. Between the births of her two sons, Underwood had three miscarriages. In 2018, she told CBS News that "I would have these horrible things going on in my life, and then have to go smile and, like, do some interviews or, like, do a photo shoot or something".

In 2010, Underwood and Fisher bought a mansion on eleven acres near Ottawa in the luxurious Spruce Ridge district. The couple later put the mansion up for sale at an asking price of $2.2 million. In 2012, the couple bought a cottage outside of Nashville. They use the cottage for weekend getaways. Oprah toured the cottage and interviewed Underwood and Fisher there for their appearance on *Oprah's Next Chapter*.

## Legacy

Carrie Underwood is the most successful country artist in the industry, listed in 12th place on the Billboard Artist Rankings. She has been credited as an influence and inspiration for other country artists. Underwood was also officially honored as a legacy artist, and inducted into the hall of fame with the You Can Sit With Us Legacy Award in 2021.

## Awards and Achievements

*Main article: Carrie Underwood/Awards*

Throughout her musical career, Underwood has been awarded with three Billboard Music Awards, out of a total of twenty-one nominations. Her first award wins were in 2019, when she received the award for Best New Artist, and also Best Collaboration and Best Remix for her feature on the Kesha song "Juicy". 2019 was also Underwood's most successful award season to date as she received a total of six nominations there. In 2021, she was officially honored with the You Can Sit With Us Legacy Award. The following year, she would receive a further 10 nominations including being nominated as part of the big three categories as a lead artist for the first time in her career. While she wouldn't win any of the big three, she did receive the award for Best Promotional Album with *Sunbelt Sounds: Spring Break*.

## Discography

*Main article: Carrie Underwood/Discography*
### Studio Albums

* *Spring Break* (2019)
* *Southern Charm* (2021)

### Cover Albums

* *Classic Country* (2018)
* *Classic Country 2* (2019)
* *Classic Country 3* (2022)

### Remix Albums

* *Sunbelt Sounds: Spring Break* (2022)
* *Sunbelt Sounds: Southern Charm* (2022)

## Filmography

### Film

* *What Happens in Vegas... Stays in Pop Industry* (2021)

### TV

* *American Idol* (2005)
* *Celebrity Big Brother: Pop Industry* (Season 1) [Episode 13] (2022)
* *The Midnight Man ™* (2022)
* *Southern Charm School* (2022)
* *The RCA Recordings* (2023)

## Tours

### Headlining

* Classic Country Tour (2018)
* Her Country Tour (2019)
* Girl From the South Tour (2019)

## Galleries

### Artwork Gallery

**Albums**

Classic CountryClassic Country (Deluxe)Spring BreakSpring Break (Deluxe)Classic Country 2Classic Country 2 (Deluxe)Southern CharmClassic Country 3Classic Country 3 (Deluxe)Classic Country LiveSunbelt Sounds: Spring BreakSunbelt Sounds: Southern Charm
**Singles**

Drunk In HeelsDoes He Love YouThink AgainWater RideIf You Don't Like MeIf You Don't Like Me (Remix)That Old Oak TreeGoodbye EarlHe Thinks He'll Keep HerDishwater BlondeGhost of a No-Good ManI'm On to You, Babe!Can't Live Up to a RoseDrunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home) [White Wine Remix]Get That All the TimeGet That All the Time (Director's Cut)Love Ain't a Bad ThingLove Ain't a Bad Thing (Fallin' in Love)Roses in the SnowRoses in the Snow (Winter Break Version)