Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Carrie Underwood sold more albums than any other American Idol winner in history, before making a return to the show as a judge 20 years later.
Carrie Underwood had a full-circle moment last month when she returned to American Idol as a judge, 20 years after being crowned the winner of the popular singing competition.
The 42-year-old country music superstar joined Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan on the panel, alongside longtime host Ryan Seacrest, for the 23rd season of American Idol, which premiered on March 9.
When Underwood was a contestant on the show’s fourth season in 2005, judge Simon Cowell made a bold prediction about her future. After Underwood’s performance of the rock band Heart’s hit “Alone,” Cowell told her, “Carrie, you’re not just the girl to beat. You’re the person to beat.”
“I will make a prediction. Not only will you win this show, you will sell more records than any other previous Idol winner,” Simon Cowell famously said.
His prediction came true when Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner of season 4. She has since sold over 85 million records, more than any other American Idol winner to date.
Carrie Underwood followed up her debut album Some Hearts with her second studio album, Carnival Ride, released in October 2007. The album debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.
Four singles from Carnival Ride—”Just a Dream,” “Last Name,” “So Small,” and “All-American Girl”—topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album was certified platinum twice within just two months of its release and now holds four platinum certifications.
In 2008, Underwood won her third Grammy Award for best female vocal performance with her hit “Before He Cheats.” She also took home Artist of the Year and Favorite Country Artist awards at the AMAs, while the CMAs honored her with Top Female Vocalist, Album of the Year, and Video of the Year awards.
That same year, Underwood embarked on her first headlining tour, joining country star Keith Urban for the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour, which kicked off in January 2008.
On May 10, 2008, country music icon Randy Travis inducted Underwood into the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. A tearful Underwood shared with Taste of Country, “The induction award they gave me says, ‘Hey, you’re a part of the family.’ It means a lot to me because it’s the heart of country music, the church, the sacred place, the super-elite club that says you love this music.”
In 2009, Underwood won another Grammy Award, this time for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with “Last Name.” At the 2009 CMA Awards, she was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the third consecutive year. She also co-hosted the awards show for the first time with Brad Paisley and went on to host the ceremony for the next 11 years.
