“Jesus… take the wheel.”
What began as a 2004 “American Idol” audition quickly turned into one of the most successful country music careers in history.
After winning season 4 of the hit competition show, Carrie Underwood, 42, went on to win 8 Grammy Awards, a record-breaking 25 CMT Awards, 16 AMC Awards and a long list of even more incredible accolades, her official website reports.
The “Before He Cheats” singer, whose country music career still has longevity in front of it, first sang her way into the hearts of many when she covered “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt.
Carrie Underwood’s 2004 ‘American Idol’ Audition
Underwood instantly blew away “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson — and that was before she showed them how she could cluck like a chicken!
From the first note she hit to the very last, it was clear that the judges knew they had a success story right in front of them.
“I’m surprised that we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition yet,” Cowell told Underwood, who was 21 years old at the time, at the St. Louis audition.
Though her time as an “American Idol” contestant would end, Underwood’s inspirational music career brought her right back to where she started. In 2025, the “Cowboy Casanova” singer became an “American Idol” judge. Having been one of the most successful contestants of the show — with respect to the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino and more — Underwood is now able to make another young, hopeful musician’s dream come true.
Carrie Underwood Breaks RIAA-Certified Record
When “American Idol” isn’t in season, Underwood stays synchronized with her singing and songwriting. In October 2025, she became the highest RIAA-certified female country music artist of all time. Underwood sold over 95 million units between both her singles (72.5 million) and albums (22.5 million) throughout the U.S. alone, earning her the groundbreaking honor, her website reports.
Since the start of her career, Underwood has released 9 studio albums, 1 deluxe edition, 1 special edition and a 2-disc greatest hits album. Her monumental success gained her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018, and she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008.
While Underwood once told the “American Idol” judges at her 2004 audition that her favorite singer was Martina McBride, millions across the world are now saying the very same about her.
