Carrie Underwood Through the Years — fromAmerican IdolWinner to Presidential Inauguration Singer

Mar. 15, 2025

Carrie Underwood.Photo:SGranitz/WireImage; LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty

“American Idol” Season 4 - Winner, Carrie Underwood, US singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood arrives for the 50th Annual American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 20, 2022.

SGranitz/WireImage; LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty

Carrie Underwoodhas come a long way since her days competing onAmerican Idol.

Come Jan. 20, Underwoodwill performat the presidential inauguration.

“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” the singer, 41, said in astatement to PEOPLE. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

Below, check out Carrie Underwood’s transformation through the years.

01of 14Do a DanceCarrie Underwood Semifinalist on ‘American Idol’.Ray Mickshaw/WireImageUnderwood is pictured doing a little dance as she celebrates making the top 24 onAmerican Idol.

01of 14

Do a Dance

Carrie Underwood Semifinalist on ‘American Idol’.Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

“American Idol” Season 4 - Top 24 Semifinalist, Carrie Underwood, 21, Checotah, Oklahoma

Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

Underwood is pictured doing a little dance as she celebrates making the top 24 onAmerican Idol.

02of 14And the Winner Is …Carrie Underwood wins ‘American Idol’.Kevin Winter/GettyCarrie Underwood bursts into tears as she is announced as the season 4 winner on the singing competition in 2005.

02of 14

And the Winner Is …

Carrie Underwood wins ‘American Idol’.Kevin Winter/Getty

Singer Carrie Underwood (L) is named the new American Idol by host Ryan Seacrest during the American Idol Finale: Results Show held at the Kodak Theatre on May 25, 2005 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Winter/Getty

Carrie Underwood bursts into tears as she is announced as the season 4 winner on the singing competition in 2005.

03of 14Winning StreakCarrie Underwood at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicThe newly minted winner hit the ACM Awards red carpet in a silky gown in 2006.

03of 14

Winning Streak

Carrie Underwood at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Carrie Underwood during 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards - Arrivals at MGM Grand Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The newly minted winner hit the ACM Awards red carpet in a silky gown in 2006.

04of 14Golden GirlCarrie Underwood poses with her Grammys.GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via GettyUnderwood had a big night at the 2007 Grammys as she walked away with two awards: best new artist and best female country vocal performance.

04of 14

Golden Girl

Carrie Underwood poses with her Grammys.GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty

Winner of Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance Carrie Underwood poses with the trophies at the 49th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles 11 February, 2007

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty

Underwood had a big night at the 2007 Grammys as she walked away with two awards: best new artist and best female country vocal performance.

05of 14All Around GirlCarrie Underwood performs “All-American Girl” at the CMT Music Awards.Scott Gries/GettyShe dressed the part while performing “All-American Girl” onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

05of 14

All Around Girl

Carrie Underwood performs “All-American Girl” at the CMT Music Awards.Scott Gries/Getty

Singer Carrie Underwood performs “All-American Girl” onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Scott Gries/Getty

She dressed the part while performing “All-American Girl” onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

06of 14Taking the StageStephen Moyer and Carrie Underwood in ‘Sound of Music’.Will Hart/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyIn 2013, Underwood lent her talents to theSound of Music Live!Above, she is pictured as Maria Rainer next to Stephen Moyer, who played Captain von Trapp.

06of 14

Taking the Stage

Stephen Moyer and Carrie Underwood in ‘Sound of Music’.Will Hart/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! – Pictured: (l-r) Stephen Moyer as Captain Von Trapp, Carrie Underwood as Maria

Will Hart/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

In 2013, Underwood lent her talents to theSound of Music Live!Above, she is pictured as Maria Rainer next to Stephen Moyer, who played Captain von Trapp.

07of 14Country QueensMiranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood perform the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/GettyShe took the stage with Miranda Lambert at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

07of 14

Country Queens

Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood perform the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty

Singer-songwriters Miranda Lambert (L) and Carrie Underwood perform onstage during the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty

She took the stage with Miranda Lambert at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

08of 14Hostess with the MostestBrad Paisley and Carrie Underwood at the 51st annual CMA Awards.John Shearer/WireImageUnderwood put on her hosting shoes (or glasses, as it were) as she helmed the 51st annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley in 2017.

08of 14

Hostess with the Mostest

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood at the 51st annual CMA Awards.John Shearer/WireImage

Co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood speak onstage at the 51st annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

John Shearer/WireImage

Underwood put on her hosting shoes (or glasses, as it were) as she helmed the 51st annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley in 2017.

09of 14

Mr. and Mrs.

Mike Fisher and Singer Carrie Underwood at the Billboard Music Awards in 2012.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

NHL Player Mike Fisher and Singer Carrie Underwood arrive at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

10of 14

Carrie Underwood attends the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards.Christopher Polk/Getty

Recording artists Carrie Underwood attends the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards at Music City Center on December 15, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee

Christopher Polk/Getty

11of 14

Double Duty

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards.Image Group LA/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

BRAD PAISLEY, CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Image Group LA/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

12of 14Glam GirlCarrie Underwood arrives to the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards.Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyUnderwood stunned in a ruffled Iris Serban gown at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards in 2017, where she presented. She was previously nominated for best original song - motion picture in 2011, for her song “There’s a Place for Us” fromThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

12of 14

Glam Girl

Carrie Underwood arrives to the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards.Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood arrives to the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017.

Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Underwood stunned in a ruffled Iris Serban gown at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards in 2017, where she presented. She was previously nominated for best original song - motion picture in 2011, for her song “There’s a Place for Us” fromThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

13of 14

What a Star

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Mike Fisher and Isaiah Michael Fisher attend as Carrie Underwood Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fameon September 20, 2018 in Hollywood, California

14of 14Party GirlCarrie Underwood performs during ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest'.Craig T Fruchtman/WireImageThis past December, the seven-time Grammy winner donned a shimmering ensemble as she performed duringDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve.

14of 14

Party Girl

Carrie Underwood performs during ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest'.Craig T Fruchtman/WireImage

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: Carrie Underwood performs during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025 held in Times Square on December 31, 2024 in New York, New York

Craig T Fruchtman/WireImage

This past December, the seven-time Grammy winner donned a shimmering ensemble as she performed duringDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve.

source: people.com