It’s a long way from tiny Checotah, Oklahoma, to the top of the charts, but it’s a journey Carrie Underwood has navigated with style, grace and an abundance of talent. Since winning the fourth season of “American Idol” in 2005, Carrie has blossomed from a shy college student to global superstar. She’s a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, wife and mother to her adorable son, Isaiah.
Carrie skyrocketed to fame after her “American Idol” win with her first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” debuting at No. 1 on “Billboard’s” all-genre Hot 100 chart. Her finely-crafted 2005 debut album, “Some Hearts,” spawned six hit singles, including “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” “Wasted” and “Before He Cheats,” which spent five weeks at No. 1 on “Billboard’s” Hot Country Songs chart and became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 8 on the Hot 100. Such hits helped make the album the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history, and earned Carrie three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. “Some Hearts” was also named Album of the Year at the 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards and has gone on to be certified eight times platinum, signifying sales of more than eight million copies.
For anyone who thought her debut success might be a fluke fueled by her “American Idol” exposure, Carrie’s sophomore album slayed that notion. “Carnival Ride” was released in 2007 and served up four No. 1 singles—“So Small,” “All-American Girl,” “Last Name” and “Just a Dream.” The fifth single, a remake of Randy Travis’ hit “I Told You So,” peaked at No. 2.
In the decade since, Carrie has won more than 100 major awards, including four CMA Female Vocalist titles. She’s sold more than 64 million records, embarked on sold-out tours and has remained one of country music’s most consistent hit-makers with such memorable songs as “Cowboy Casanova,” “Temporary Home,” “Good Girl,” “Blown Away,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” “Undo It,” “See You Again, “Smoke Break,” “Dirty Laundry” and “Something in the Water.” Along the way, she has also recorded songs with artists across all musical genres including: Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Matthew West, Tony Bennett, Miranda Lambert, Aerosmith and Ludacris.
Not only skilled at dominating the airwaves, the Grand Ole Opry member has dabbled in acting, including a role in the 2011 film “Soul Surfer.” In 2013 she starred as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s Emmy-winning “The Sound of Music Live!” She has also displayed her comedic chops and emcee skills as she and Brad served as hosts of the CMA Awards for the past 10 years. She is also the musical voice of “Sunday Night Football,” kicking off games with a spirited performance that sizzles.
In addition to that amazing voice, Carrie has co-written most of her hits and is also an astute businesswoman who has developed the Calia brand, a successful line of workout apparel. Carrie has learned to juggle many roles and responsibilities, but the ones she cherishes most are wife to former hockey pro Mike Fisher and mother to Isaiah.