Carrie Underwood

Season 4 · Winner

Where are they now

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.

Key figures

Known for

  1. Before He CheatsSingle · 2006
  2. Some HeartsAlbum · 2005
  3. Blown AwaySingle · 2012
  4. Carnival RideAlbum · 2007
  5. Cowboy CasanovaSingle · 2009
  6. Play OnAlbum · 2009
  7. Blown AwayAlbum · 2012
  8. Jesus, Take the WheelSingle · 2005

Interest over time

Monthly views of the English Wikipedia article, July 2015 – September 2026.

X Factor Heartbeat performanceACM Awards Cry PrettyMy Gift trailer debutInauguration performance

Career

  1. 2005

    American Idol, season 4

    Winner

    January 18 – May 25, 2005

  2. Record deal · 2005 – March 2017

    After winning American Idol in 2005, signed a joint recording deal with Sony (Arista Nashville) and 19 Recordings; the partnership lasted nearly 12 years.

  3. Chart · June 14, 2005

    Released her first single, Inside Your Heaven, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

  4. Release · November 15, 2005

    Released her debut album Some Hearts, which became the best-selling album of 2006 in the United States across all genres.

  5. 2008

    Television · 2008 – 2019

    Co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards telecast for twelve years, mostly with Brad Paisley, then stepped down as co-host after the 2019 show.

  6. Other · May 10, 2008

    Was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

  7. 2011

    Acting · April 2011

    Made her feature film debut in Soul Surfer, playing youth leader Sarah Hill.

  8. 2013

    Television

    Has performed the opening theme song of NBC Sunday Night Football since 2013.

  9. Acting · December 5, 2013

    Played Maria von Trapp in NBC's live television production The Sound of Music Live!.

  10. 2017

    Record deal · March 2017

    Signed with Capitol Records Nashville, part of Universal Music Group, leaving Sony Music Nashville.

  11. 2018

    Release · September 14, 2018

    Released her sixth studio album Cry Pretty, her first on Capitol Nashville, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

  12. 2020

    Book · March 3, 2020

    Published her first book, Find Your Path, which debuted at No. 2 on a New York Times best seller list.

  13. 2021

    Tour · December 2021 – 2025

    Headlined 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.

  14. 2022

    Release · June 10, 2022

    Released her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, on Capitol Nashville.

  15. 2025

    Television

    Became 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.

Discography

TitleTypeYearLabelRIAA certificationU.S. salesBillboard peak
Inside Your HeavenSingle2005PlatinumNo. 1Hot 100
Jesus, Take the WheelSingle20053× PlatinumNo. 20Hot 100
Some HeartsAlbum2005Arista Nashville, 199× Platinum7,500,000July 27, 2017No. 2Billboard 200
Before He CheatsSingle200611× PlatinumNo. 8Hot 100
Don't Forget to Remember MeSingle2006GoldNo. 49Hot 100
Do You Hear What I HearOther2007No. 90Hot 100
I'll Stand by YouSingle2007No. 6Hot 100
So SmallSingle2007PlatinumNo. 17Hot 100
WastedSingle2007PlatinumNo. 37Hot 100
Carnival RideAlbum2007Arista Nashville, 194× Platinum3,400,000October 11, 2015No. 1Billboard 200
All-American GirlSingle20083× PlatinumNo. 27Hot 100
Just a DreamSingle20082× PlatinumNo. 29Hot 100
Last NameSingle20082× PlatinumNo. 19Hot 100
Praying for TimeSingle2008No. 27Hot 100
Cowboy CasanovaSingle20094× PlatinumNo. 11Hot 100
Home Sweet HomeSingle2009No. 21Hot 100
I Told You So (featuring Randy Travis)Single2009PlatinumNo. 9Hot 100
Temporary HomeSingle20092× PlatinumNo. 41Hot 100
Play OnAlbum2009Arista Nashville, 193× Platinum2,300,000October 11, 2015No. 1Billboard 200
Mama's SongSingle2010PlatinumNo. 56Hot 100
Undo ItSingle20102× PlatinumNo. 23Hot 100
Remind Me (with Brad Paisley)Single2011No. 17Hot 100
Blown AwaySingle20125× PlatinumNo. 20Hot 100
Good GirlSingle20123× PlatinumNo. 18Hot 100
Two Black CadillacsSingle20122× PlatinumNo. 41Hot 100
Blown AwayAlbum2012Arista Nashville, 193× Platinum1,853,200October 9, 2019No. 1Billboard 200
See You AgainSingle20132× PlatinumNo. 34Hot 100
The Blown Away Tour: LiveOther2013Arista Nashville, 19
The Sound of Music: Music from the NBC Television EventSoundtrack2013Sony MasterworksNo. 17Billboard 200
Somethin' Bad (with Miranda Lambert)Single2014No. 19Hot 100
Something in the WaterSingle20142× PlatinumNo. 24Hot 100
Greatest Hits: Decade #1Compilation2014Arista Nashville, 19Platinum564,300April 18, 2017No. 4Billboard 200
HeartbeatSingle2015PlatinumNo. 42Hot 100
Little Toy GunsSingle2015PlatinumNo. 47Hot 100
Smoke BreakSingle2015PlatinumNo. 43Hot 100
StorytellerAlbum2015Arista Nashville, 19PlatinumNo. 2Billboard 200
Church BellsSingle20163× PlatinumNo. 43Hot 100
Dirty LaundrySingle2016PlatinumNo. 48Hot 100
Cry PrettySingle2018PlatinumNo. 48Hot 100
Love WinsSingle2018GoldNo. 83Hot 100
The Champion (featuring Ludacris)Single20182× PlatinumNo. 47Hot 100
Cry PrettyAlbum2018Capitol NashvillePlatinum534,000March 10, 2020No. 1Billboard 200
Drinking AloneSingle2019GoldNo. 74Hot 100
SouthboundSingle2019PlatinumNo. 64Hot 100
Favorite Time of YearOther2020No. 62Hot 100
Hallelujah (with John Legend)Single2020GoldNo. 54Hot 100
Silent NightOther2020No. 94Hot 100
My GiftAlbum2020Capitol NashvilleGold628,000December 21, 2022No. 5Billboard 200
If I Didn't Love You (with Jason Aldean)Single2021No. 15Hot 100
My SaviorAlbum2021Capitol NashvilleGoldNo. 4Billboard 200
Ghost StorySingle2022GoldNo. 61Hot 100
Denim & RhinestonesAlbum2022Capitol NashvilleNo. 10Billboard 200
Out of That TruckSingle2023Gold
I'm Gonna Love You (with Cody Johnson)Single2024No. 37Hot 100
Music Up, Windows DownEP2025uDiscover Music

Cover images: Cover Art Archive (MusicBrainz).

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2006Academy of Country Music AwardsTop New Female VocalistWon
2006CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearWon
2006CMA AwardsHorizon AwardWon
2007CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearWon
2007Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal PerformanceJesus, Take The WheelWon
2007Grammy AwardsBest New ArtistWon
2008CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearWon
2008Grammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration With VocalsShared: Brad Paisley, Carrie UnderwoodOh LoveNominated
2008Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal PerformanceBefore He CheatsWon
2009Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the YearWon
2009Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal PerformanceLast NameWon
2010Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the YearWon
2010Grammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration With VocalsShared: Carrie Underwood, Randy TravisI Told You SoWon
2010Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal PerformanceJust A DreamNominated
2011Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal PerformanceTemporary HomeNominated
2012Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo PerformanceMama's SongNominated
2013Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo PerformanceBlown AwayWon
2015Grammy AwardsBest Country Duo/Group PerformanceShared: Miranda Lambert, Carrie UnderwoodSomethin' BadNominated
2015Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo PerformanceSomething In The WaterWon
2016CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearWon
2016Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo PerformanceLittle Toy GunsNominated
2017Grammy AwardsBest Country Solo PerformanceChurch BellsNominated
2018CMA AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearWon
2020Academy of Country Music AwardsEntertainer of the YearWon
2022Grammy AwardsBest Country Duo/Group PerformanceShared: Jason Aldean, Carrie UnderwoodIf I Didn't Love YouNominated
2022Grammy AwardsBest Roots Gospel AlbumMy SaviorWon

Sources

Compare Carrie Underwood with others

Other season 4 finalists

Season 4: all finalists and their careers · Semifinalists