Country superstar and “American Idol” judge Carrie Underwood was full of surprises on August 9, 2026. She not only popped up at Rolling Hills Church in Franklin, Tennessee, to sing with the choir, but she did so with a very different look than she’s sported for the past year.
Gracing the congregation with her powerful voice, Underwood also debuted her return to the bright blonde hair she was long known for, while wearing far less makeup than fans are used to seeing her in.
Carrie Underwood Dazzled Parishioners With a Powerful Duet
Rolling Hills is Underwood’s home church, according to Taste of Country, located near the sprawling ranch she shares with her husband, former NHL player Mike Fisher, and their two sons. The “Jesus Take The Wheel” singer has been known to show up at the church and sing with the choir there from time to time.
On August 9, the Instagram account Nashville Nuggets posted a video of Underwood belting out “Great is Thy Thankfulness” alongside Jennifer Akers, the church’s Creative Arts Pastor.
Underwood eschewed any glam for the church service, dressed in an ankle-length black skirt, fitted white t-shirt, and sleeveless jean jacket. Most notable was the singer’s sleek blonde hair, exactly one year after she debuted a much darker look.
Known for sporting bright blonde hair since winning “American Idol” in 2005, Underwood changed things up in early August 2025, revealing that she’d opted to get “back to my roots” with caramel locks before starting to film her second season as an “American Idol” judge.
She posted her new look at the time and wrote, “Well, the last time I saw my natural hair color, I was probably about 12 years old, but I thought it might be time to give it a second chance.”
Fans Love Seeing Carrie Underwood Without Glamorous Makeup & Hair Extensions
Underwood has embraced her darker hair over the last year. Just three days before singing at her church, the NFL released a video preview of her new “Sunday Night Football” anthem, announcing that NBC will open each game of the 2026/2027 season with the new version, marking her 14th consecutive year of doing so.
Underwood recorded the music video while still sporting wavy, caramel hair nearly down to her waist. At the church service, however, her much lighter hair looked to be free of extensions, going just past her shoulders.
The “Before He Cheats” singer has not posted her new (old) look on social media, but many praised her for blending in at the church service on Sunday, willing to perform without her usual glam.
One fan wrote, “Seems like she’s getting back to her roots…simple, no hair/makeup. Praising God with all heart. I’m all for it. 🙌🙌🙌❤️.” Someone responded, “That’s how she dresses the Sundays she sings with the worship team,I don’t think most people would recognize her without makeup since she wears it so much.”
Another fan commented, “Beautiful song, beautiful voice, naturally beautiful woman. Love seeing Carrie without the extensions, the tons of makeup, the OTT wardrobe. She the best!”
One person even wrote, “Does not look like Carrie Underwood”
Many people also commented on how beautiful Underwood’s duet was, including someone who said they were in there to witness it live, calling Underwood “amazing” and adding, “Her duet partner @jiggidyjennifer was equally angelic. I love that God gave them both the gift of their voice to help us connect with his grace. We were so blessed to be in His (and their) presence today.”
