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Celebrating A Difference
Carrie took to Instagram to mark the milestone to share a nostalgic side-by-side. One image captured her as a fresh-faced 21-year-old contestant, complete with curly locks, a pink T-shirt, and jeans.
The other, taken in 2025, showcased her as a seasoned artist exuding confidence in a striking hot pink, caped outfit with nearly waist-length hair.
“’Then’ as a contestant vs. ‘Now’ as a judge 20 years later!” she captioned the post, adding, “Counting down the days as we’re one month away from the March 9 season premiere of @americanidol on @abc and Stream on @hulu!”
Fans flooded the comments, celebrating her enduring beauty and success. Some remarked that she looked even more stunning than before, while others expressed their excitement to watch her on Idol again.
However, not all responses were enthusiastic. A few critics referenced her performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration, stating they wouldn’t be tuning in.
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Controversy Over Inauguration Performance
Carrie’s decision to sing at the presidential event stirred controversy, prompting speculation about her political stance.
Yet, she sidestepped the debate, releasing a statement via USA Today: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
The singer has long maintained a neutral stance on politics, preferring to keep her personal views private.
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she explained, “I like to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. It’s crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
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Her performance of “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration, meant to feature the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, had an unexpected hiccup.
When the music failed, Carrie found herself standing in silence before seamlessly transitioning into an a cappella rendition—proving once again why she’s a powerhouse performer.
As she gears up for this new chapter on American Idol, fans eagerly await the wisdom, experience, and star power she’ll bring to the judging panel. After all, who better to guide aspiring artists than someone who’s walked the same path and conquered it?
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Carrie Underwood right now. Come back here often for all Carrie Underwood’s spoilers, news, and updates.
Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
