Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Checotah, Oklahoma. The daughter of a paper mill worker and an elementary school teacher, she grew up on a cattle farm with her two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie. Carrie began singing in her church choir when she was only 3 years old. When she was 13, she made her first studio recording, and performed in festivals in a number of states while trying to get a singing career off the ground. In spite of her passion for music, Carrie maintained a well-balanced life growing up. A big sports fan, she played softball for eight years. She was an honor student at Checotah High School, and a member of the National Honor Society. One summer, she served as a page for Oklahoma State Representative Bobby Frame. In 2001, Carrie graduated from Checotah as salutatorian. After high school, Carrie went on to Northeastern State University, where she majored in mass communications. She joined Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and competed in beauty pageants throughout college, winning the title of Miss NSU runner-up in 2004. Not long afterward, Carrie decided to travel to St. Louis to audition for the 2005 American Idol competition. From the beginning, Carrie's country-infused style was popular with both the judges and the audience, and she was one of only three finalists in the show's history (alongside Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken) to never finish in the "bottom three." After Carrie's performance of Heart's "Alone" in March of 2005, notoriously acerbic judge Simon Cowell had nothing but praise for her: "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 competition, but you will sell more records than any other previous Idol winner!" Sure enough, on May 25, Carrie was named the new "American Idol," beating out southern rocker Bo Bice.

In the summer of 2004, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis. On March 22, 2005, Underwood sang a powerful rendition of the number one 80's rock hit "Alone" by Heart and judge Simon Cowell predicted that Underwood would not only win the competition, but would outsell all previous Idol winners. Underwood was the second winner never to have been voted in the bottom three. While on the show, Underwood gained a loyal fan base known as "Carrie's Care Bears." Interestingly, she is in the same sorority (Sigma Sigma Sigma) as Linda Denham, the creator of the original Care Bears franchise.

In the summer of 2004, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis. On March 22, 2005, Underwood sang a powerful rendition of the number one 80's rock hit "Alone" by Heart and judge Simon Cowell predicted that Underwood would not only win the competition, but would outsell all previous Idol winners.

Underwood appeared on the sixth season of American Idol, where she sang her single "Wasted" on March 8. This was her fourth time performing on the show since winning the competition in 2005.

Underwood performed "Jesus, Take the Wheel" on May 23, 2006, and received a standing ovation at the ACM Awards. She ended up winning Best New Female Vocalist and Single of the year for the song. She was also nominated for Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the year, but did not win.

Underwood's second album, Carnival Ride, was released on October 23, 2007. "So Small", the first single from the album, was released on July 31. On Carnival Ride, Underwood was more involved in the songwriting process than on the debut.

Underwood performed at halftime of the Thanksgiving Day football game at the Texas Stadium and has been connected socially with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, attending his birthday party in April, 2007. On May 15, 2007, Romo escorted Underwood to the Academy of Country Music Awards. Underwood is now linked with Gossip Girl cast member Chace Crawford. She referred to the 22-year-old Texan as "cute" and "a really nice guy."