BREAKING: Carrie Underwood Is No Longer Performing on the ‘American Idol’ Finale

Carrie Underwood is no longer performing on the American Idol finale.  As the milestone Season 20 comes to a close…

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

May 22, 2022

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7:12 pm

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Carrie Underwood; Photo by Eric Jamison, CBS

Carrie Underwood is no longer performing on the American Idol finale. 

As the milestone Season 20 comes to a close with a star-studded finale, it was revealed by host Ryan Seacrest that Underwood was unable to appear. 

“There was a COVID exposure in Carrie Underwood’s group, so following protocol she will no longer be performing tonight,” Seacrest said following the opening performance from Flo Rida with the Top 10. 

Underwood was set to deliver the live debut of “Denim & Rhinestones” during the three-hour finale on Sunday, May 22. 

The country superstar and Season 4 Idol winner previously appeared on Season 20 to mentor the Top 5 from her Las Vegas residency. 

Huntergirl with Carrie Underwood; Photo via Instagram
Huntergirl with Carrie Underwood; Photo via Instagram

Underwood wrapped the 2022 performances of REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency on Saturday evening at Resorts World Las Vegas. 

Underwood is gearing up to release her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, which will feature 12-tracks, including the project’s lead single “Ghost Story,” as well as the title track and the recently released “Crazy Angels.”

“We cover a lot of ground on this album,” Underwood shared in a press release. ”We have a lot of songs that have a bit of a ‘throwback’ feel, but they sound super fresh. I grew up listening to so many different kinds of music and that is extremely evident in this body of work.”

Carrie Underwood, Denim & Rhinestones Album Cover
Carrie Underwood, Denim & Rhinestones Album Cover

“These are musical influences that are all in me and work their way out, and I just decided this time not to get in their way,” the Oklahoma native added. “I think this whole album ended up being a big reflection of me as a person and as an artist.”

Underwood will soon bring her forthcoming new album to life on a 43-city tour, kicking off this fall.

Produced by AEG Presents, the trek will feature special guest Jimmie Allen on all dates. Launching on October 15 in Greenville, South Carolina, the tour will hit cities around the U.S. including New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, before wrapping up in Seattle, Washington on March 17.

The three-hour Season 20 finale of American Idol featured performances from the Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as the Top 3 finalists Noah Thompson, HunterGirl, and Leah Marlene. 

Additionally, superstars Gabby Barrett, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Michael Bublé, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ben Platt, Thomas Rhett, Tai Verdes, and will perform during the star-studded broadcast.

Several other contestants from Season 20 will also return to the Idol stage, including Mike Parker, Christian Guardino, Jay Copeland, Nicolina Bozzo, Fritz Hager, Emyrson Flora, and Lady K.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.