Carrie Underwood sheds light on the nervousness she experienced starting American Idol: ‘I burst into tears’
She catapulted to fame after winning American Idol in 2005.
Now Carrie Underwood is reflecting on the beginning of her journey to superstardom.
The 37-year-old wrote about her experiences in a story for GuidePosts magazine, where she revealed the nervousness she experienced performing in front of the judges.
‘I burst into tears’: Carrie Underwood is reflecting on the beginning of her journey to superstardom (pictured 2005)
Recalling the moment she decided to audition for the show, she told GuidePosts magazine: ‘The summer before my senior year, I was home one day, watching TV and saw a news segment about people auditioning for the show American Idol, I checked online.
‘The closest auditions were being held in St. Louis. “How far away is St. Louis?” I asked my mom. “Six or seven hours in the car,” she said. Too far, I thought. Out of the question. “Why do you want to know?” Mom asked.
‘”They’re having American Idol auditions there.” “I’ll take you.” Just like that.’
Carrie said she expected the process to be easy, but was left ‘terrified’ of performing in front of the judging panel.
She’s a star! Underwood catapulted to fame after winning season four of the competition (pictured 2018)
She added: ‘It would be easy to say the rest is history, that it was meant to be. But it didn’t feel like that at the time. Going through a slew of auditions in St. Louis, getting the “golden ticket” to Hollywood, every contestant’s dream, I was terrified.
‘Every time I had to sing in front of the judges I’d get nervous the way I did in church that first time. Then I’d say a prayer and leave it in God’s hands.’
Carrie’s parents were driving her to the airport when it all suddenly hit her.
‘All at once it was just too much. Going out to Los Angeles by myself, competing with all these other people who were so talented. I burst into tears.’
She’s number one! Underwood was crowned the winner of American Idol after beating out runner-up Bo Bice (pictured 2017)
‘My dad turned to me in the backseat. “Carrie,” he said, “we can go home right now, and we don’t ever have to talk about it again.” I took a deep breath. “No,” I said at last. “I’ll go.”‘
Carrie scored a ticket to Hollywood after winning over judges at her audition with a rendition of the Bonnie Raitt song I Can’t Make You Love Me.
She subsequently beat out runner-up Bo Bice and was crowned the season four winner of American Idol.
She released her debut album Some Hearts later that year, which included the hit tracks Before He Cheats and Inside Your Heaven.
Carrie is married to NHL player Mike Fisher and together they have sons Isaiah, five, and Jacob, one.
Family ties: Outside of her music career, Underwood is married to NHL player Mike Fisher and together they have sons Isaiah, five, and Jacob, one (pictured 2018)