BlogCarrie Underwood was born and raised in rural Oklahoma, but when she was 21, she took a chance and auditioned for the fourth season of American Idol. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the singing sensation turns 40, so let’s look back on the life and career of one of music’s brightest stars.
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
When she was 21, Carrie Underwood drove to St. Louis to audition for the red-hot television show American Idol. She auditioned at the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis. In front of judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, she sang a country classic and punched her ticket to Hollywood. At the time, she’d never even been on an airplane, but her world was about to change!
Kodak Theater/Dolby Theater, Los Angeles, California
The next stop on Carrie’s crazy journey was performing at the Kodak Theater, now known as the Dolby Theater, in LA. The theater hosts the annual Academy Awards, America’s Got Talent, and other performances and events.
On May 25, 2005, Carrie sang her heart out in front of a live audience, and millions of viewers around the world. When Ryan Seacrest read her name from the gold card, her life changed forever. She won a $1 million music contract, a Ford Mustang, and the use of a private jet for a year. These days, Carrie is worth around $140 million, has two amazing kids, amazing homes, and an incredibly successful music and crossover careers.
Simon Cowell’s House, Malibu, California
Megajudge Simon Cowell has a reputation as being intimidating and scary for American Idol contestants, but he knew Carrie had true star power from the first time he heard her sing. He’s also an incredibly talented producer and music executive. His net worth is north of half a billion dollars! And with that he has acquired a massive real estate portfolio.
One of his recent favorites is this $24 million Malibu estate. He suffered a major back injury here in 2020, and spent a year healing. The 1.6 acre, six bedroom, seven bath estate overlooks the ocean; a perfect place to recover!
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Carrie met her future husband, NHL player Mike Fisher, backstage at one of her concerts. About a year later, they were engaged, and the rest is history. Canadian by birth, Mike was playing for the Ottawa Senators when they started dating, but after they were married, he was traded to the Nashville Predators, where he finished out his career.
The Predators play their home games in the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, close to the haunts and hangouts of country music stars, making it a perfect location for the power couple to have dual careers.
Estate Outside Nashville, Tennessee
In 2011, Carrie Mike bought a 400-acre parcel of land outside Nashville, Tennessee, for around $3.5 million. They had plans to build a “forever” home, which was completed in 2018. The mansion has an insane kitchen, an indoor lettuce garden, a walk-in closet complete with washer and dryer, and so much more.
Outside, they have an immense garden, orchards, picnic areas, horse stables, and a private pond! While the family keep it private, they did give Oprah Winfrey a tour before they started building, and even planted an oak tree in her honor!
Residency at Resorts World, Las Vegas, Nevada
If you want to see Carrie perform her amazing portfolio of music these days, you’re in luck! She’s performing about a dozen shows for her Reflections residency this summer through winter at the new, amazing, Resorts World property in Las Vegas.
The recently-opened $4.5 billion development has a massive hotel, mall, panda exhibit, and even a replica of the Great Wall of China! And of course a massive theater that can hold nearly 5,000 adoring fans.
On her mile marker birthday, let’s take a second and give a shout out to one of the most talented, kind-hearted, and entertaining musicians out there, and wish her another 40 years of beautiful music, laughter, and joy. Happy Birthday, Carrie!
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