Remember When Carrie Underwood Won ‘American Idol’?

Long before her record-breaking success, Underwood was just a small-town girl with a big dream.

By

Melinda Lorge

| Posted on

May 25, 2019

at

7:15 pm

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Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is one of country music’s biggest stars. Not only has she won seven Grammy Awards, but she has also sold more than 60 million records worldwide. She’s also the first female country artist to ever have four albums debut at the top of the Billboard albums chart.

Long before all of that record-breaking success, Underwood was just a small-town girl with a big dream. Her life changed 14 years ago this month when she beat out rocker Bo Bice on the fourth season of the hit reality TV competition show, American Idol.

In this clip, fans can relive the moment that Underwood received the fate that changed her life forever.

A dapper-looking Ryan Seacrest, with a sealed envelope in hand, keeps crowd anticipation going on the American Idol set before naming the Oklahoma native the season four champion. Once the news is revealed, Underwood uses her hands to cover up her happy tears. Following a round of hugs, she takes center stage to perform a powerful rendition of her first single, “Inside Your Heaven.” At 21-years-old, Underwood can barely keep her composure throughout her performance, yet she still looks every bit of a star in the making.

Prior to her victory, Underwood endured a handful of grueling rounds on the popular show battling it out against other talented aspiring stars in Hollywood with her covers of songs such as Tiffany’s “Could’ve Been” and Erma Franklin’s “Piece of My Heart.” She initially impressed then-judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell with her audition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

During the show finale, she performed Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” and Guy Sebastian’s “Angels Brought Me Here.” She also shared the stage with Rascal Flatts for a rousing rendition of “Bless the Broken Road.”

Season four of American Idol was a huge success. In fact, 37 million votes were cast for the finale. Underwood didn’t just seal the win that night; she also took home red-hot, Ford Mustang convertible. As the prizewinner, she even scored her own personal private jet, but ended up turning it down, according to The Guardian.

Re-live Underwood’s crowning moment in the video above.

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Melinda Lorge

Written by

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Country Now, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.