From Idol contestant to idol judge: Carrie looks back at her audition 20 years ago

American Idol Finale: Results Show HOLLYWOOD - MAY 25: American Idol Finalist Carrie Underwood performs onstage the American Idol Finale: Results Show held at the Kodak Theatre on May 25, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

By Jay Edwards

March 10, 2025 at 8:14 am CDT

Did you know that Carrie Underwood didn’t sing a country song at her American Idol audition because she was told by a producer that Simon Cowell wasn’t a fan of country music? So, she didn’t sing a country song, even though they could tell she was a country music fan in her audition.

Watch as Carrie Underwood watches her own audition from 20 years ago and critiques herself and talks about her journey from Idol to Icon.

Jay Edwards

Jay Edwards is an Orlando native and proud to call Central Florida his home! He has lived in Seminole County since the age of 2 and attended school at Lake Brantley High School, Seminole Community College, and then graduated with a Radio/TV degree from UCF.