Carrie Underwood‘s American Idol journey has come full circle.
Fans first met Underwood when she auditioned for season 4 of the singing competition. Following her 2005 victory, Underwood went on to become one of the biggest names in the country music world, and she returned to Idol several times throughout the years.
In 2024, Underwood was offered a more permanent position, replacing Katy Perry as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie for season 23. “I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show,” she said in an announcement video at the time. “I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything I’ve accomplished since.”
Underwood later shed light on her style of constructive criticism, revealing in a radio interview that she hoped to “be honest” during the audition process “but still kind” to those hoping to earn their big breaks. “You’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on,” she explained.
When season 23 premiered, Underwood gushed that competing on Idol “changed” her life. “Now, I have the privilege of helping a new generation of artists change theirs,” she added.
Many members of that new generation made their love for Underwood known before heading into the audition room — and some even tried their hand at singing the country star’s biggest hits.
Scroll below to see every time one of Underwood’s songs was performed on American Idol season 23:
Sophia Humbert
A longtime Underwood fan, the Arizona native took a risk by auditioning with “Before He Cheats” on the piano. Underwood hinted that the performance needed more “rage in there somewhere,” so the judges asked Humbert to sing again — this time while smashing a pickup truck with a baseball bat.
Breanna Nix
Nix captivated the judges with her rendition of Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Her audition also served as a sweet lullaby for her son, Emerson, who fell asleep in Underwood’s arms.
Landry Champlin
In a video package before her audition, Champlin revealed that she was “always” asked to perform Underwood’s music as a kid when she sang at the Grapevine Opry in Texas. She continued the streak on Idol, singing the 2012 hit “Good Girl.”
JMarie
The New Yorker put her own spin on “Before He Cheats” during a March 2025 episode. “This is a hood anthem, Carrie. I’m sorry, it is,” she joked. “All my girls on the block, we know that song word for word. It speaks to us, Carrie.”
At the end of her performance, JMarie added a little something extra, singing, “Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats / ‘Cause he ain’t that dumb.”
Underwood admitted she “was a little worried” about hearing her own songs used during Idol auditions, but she loved JMarie’s interpretation. “I forgot about myself ever having sung that song,” she said.
Yani
“I will be singing a song that perhaps is familiar. It’s pretty deep,” the New Jersey native said before surprising the judges with Underwood’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.”
Underwood called the song choice “clever,” sending Yani through to Hollywood.
Canaan James Hill
When the top 10 tackled empowering anthems by female artists in May 2025, the gospel singer took a risk with his performance of Underwood’s 2018 song “Love Wins.”
Jamal Roberts
In another homage to Underwood’s empowering discography, Roberts put a soulful spin on “Undo It” in May 2025 — cowboy hat and all. “That was so much fun!” Underwood raved after his performance.
Mattie Pruitt and Breanna Nix
The pair of powerhouse vocalists teamed up for a duet of Underwood’s 2014 hit “Something in the Water” during a May 2025 episode. “You guys had some tears in my eyes,” Underwood said, adding that she felt “honored” by the performance.
Slater Nalley
Underwood herself joined Nalley on stage during the May 2025 season finale to perform her song “I’m Gonna Love You,” complete with a surprise appearance by Cody Johnson.
