Carrie Underwood, the most beloved winner of “American Idol,” has had a remarkable career in country music spanning several years. She has achieved seven Grammy Awards and earned five CMT Artist of the Year titles. In 2018, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and boasts an impressive record of over 60 million album sales. She shares a joyous marriage with Mike Fisher, a former hockey player, and they are blessed with two sons, Isaiah and Jacob. Despite her immense success as a performer, Carrie Underwood acknowledges that even the most accomplished artists encounter setbacks.
Whether facing the challenges of fame or dealing with personal tragedies, Underwood has triumphed over numerous obstacles, often wearing a smile in public, concealing much of her inner turmoil. Taking a closer look at Carrie Underwood’s life reveals a depth that may surprise you.
Like anyone, celebrities too experience unexpected mishaps. In November 2017, Carrie Underwood suffered a fainting episode on the steps of her Nashville home. However, she didn’t disclose the extent of her wrist injury until a fan club article in 2018 (as reported by Variety). She explained, “I hurt my face and shattered my hand. I won’t go into the gory details, but when I left surgery the night of my accident, the surgeon informed my husband, Mike Fisher, that he had stitched ‘in part’ between 40 and 50 places.” The singer of “Cry Pretty” expressed her gratitude that her injuries weren’t even more severe.
During a segment on “Sunday Morning,” Carrie Underwood playfully quipped, “My face broke my fall.” Determining her recovery wasn’t straightforward unless one shared a home with her. It’s challenging to fully grasp Underwood’s concern, given the importance of appearances in the entertainment industry. Her tumble served as a wellspring of inspiration for numerous songs on her album “Cry Pretty.” Shortly after the American Country Music Awards, she took the stage for a radio show performance.
Before welcoming Jacob Fisher on January 21, 2019, Carrie Underwood also openly discussed her experiences with multiple miscarriages. She candidly revealed on “Sunday Morning” that 2017 didn’t unfold as she had envisioned. Between 2017 and 2018, she grappled with the heartbreak of three miscarriages, which disrupted her recording and pregnancy plans. To channel her emotions, she penned songs for “Cry Pretty.”
During a time when her husband, Mike Fisher, was away, Underwood supposedly wrestled with feelings of anger toward God, convinced she was experiencing yet another miscarriage. Tears streamed down her face as she cradled her child and questioned, “Why do I keep getting pregnant if I can’t carry a child?” She prayed, “Either close this door or grant me a child.” After disclosing her emotions to God, she sought confirmation of her most recent miscarriage from a doctor, only to discover that she was, in fact, expecting Jacob.
In her song “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore,” Carrie Underwood reflects on her upbringing in the small Oklahoma town of Checotah, with its solitary stoplight. She regularly visits and lends support to Happy Paws, where her mother, Carole, volunteered. On “Sunday Morning,” Underwood confessed that sometimes she feels the need to return home for a more profound reason, stating, “I feel like this is the only place my spirit can rest,” as she passed through Checotah. “I can relax here more than anywhere else… sleep. Sleep.”
In the world of celebrities, maintaining an image of gratitude and happiness is paramount. While Underwood is genuinely thankful for her life, she acknowledges the difficulty of performing, especially in the aftermath of her miscarriages. She remarked, “I basically had to smile and participate in interviews or photoshoots while enduring these devastating experiences in my life.”
Checotah provides solace for Carrie Underwood when she needs to escape her public persona. She attended a function at Checotah High School in 2009.
On May 25, 2005, Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner of “American Idol.” Subsequently, she ascended to stardom as a country music sensation. Underwood’s journey wasn’t that of a mere aspiring singer who entered a contest to test her vocal range.
In 2019, she shared with The Guardian that she had signed a record business development deal at the age of 15. She acknowledged that neither she nor her band had a clear idea of what they were doing at the time. They had only recorded songs. Her participation in “American Idol” was a deliberate step to put an end to the lingering “what if” questions that had been haunting her, and the outcome was undeniably positive.
Carrie Underwood defies gender stereotypes in the realm of country music. She had embraced a vegan lifestyle even before her marriage to Mike Fisher and has shown a penchant for the unconventional in her business decisions.
It would be a mistake to make assumptions about Underwood’s political stance based solely on the song “The Bullet” from her album “Cry Pretty,” which addresses mass shootings. She described it as “timely but not politicized” to Entertainment Weekly. Underwood emphasized, “It’s not about the ideas or opinions; it’s about the fact that something happened and the impact it has on people.”
Another track on the same album, “Love Wins,” also alludes to a shooting. She explained to Entertainment Weekly that she has several songs on the record that people attempt to assign meaning to after the fact. She stated, “What’s the point if we’re not singing or creating songs with substance?” She remains committed to touring with all-female opening acts because they have earned it, expressing her dislike for being confined to a particular category.
Before her marriage to Mike Fisher on July 10, 2010, Carrie Underwood had previously dated notable figures like Tony Romo. Actor Chace Crawford from “Gossip Girl” ended their relationship via text message, but unlike Taylor Swift’s public announcement on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” their parting was amicable. Underwood prefers to keep such matters private.
In 2008, Underwood revealed to Extra, “We broke up by text so… it’s like ‘peace out’.” She expressed her frustration at how celebrity status made her revisit past experiences when breakups and related details resurfaced months later. It’s reassuring to know that Underwood won’t have to endure another text message breakup, as it can be quite aggravating.
In early April 2022, Carrie Underwood shared heart-wrenching news on Instagram. She posted photos of her late dog, Ace, to announce his passing. Her post read, “Last night, my beloved Ace passed away. He will always be missed. He was a kind youngster and a devoted friend. I cherish you, Ace.” According to People, Ace had served as the ring bearer at Underwood’s wedding. Ace, Zero, and Penny were among Underwood’s beloved canine companions.
Following Underwood’s Instagram announcement, fans flooded the comment section with expressions of love and support. Fellow country music artist Miranda Lambert commented, “I’m so sorry. It hurts. I love you.”