Carrie Underwood is making her return to American Idol, and this time she’ll be on the other side of the judge’s table. But in 2004, the singer was just a 21-year-old from a small town with a big dream. She stepped into the spotlight on the talent competition she ended up winning—and looking back on her first-ever audition, it was evident from the start that she would someday be a star.
It was the summer of 2004, and Carrie had trekked to St. Louis, Missouri, from her hometown, Checotah, Oklahoma, with her mom in hopes of being chosen for Season 4 of the reality show.
Prior to performing for judges Randy Travis, Simon Cowell, and Paula Abdul, a visibly nervous Carrie paced the hallway as her mother gave an interview.
“I just think she’s beautiful and I think she’s got the voice, so I hope she’s going on, but I don’t know,” said her mom, adding, “I have faith.”
Inside the room, Randy asked Carrie if she was nervous, and she replied, “A little bit … because he’s scary,” pointing to Simon.
The future winner fielded questions about being captain and quarterback of the flag football team for her school’s Greek Week, as well as the discovery and removal of her “third nipple.”
Another version of the video on YouTube also contains clips of Carrie on her family farm—presumably where she developed her uncanny ability to cluck like a chicken, which wowed the judges (“I could’ve just clucked my way onto American Idol, couldn’t I?” she joked. “Clucked,” the men repeated, emphasis on the “Cl“).
Carrie Underwood and the rest of the Top Twelve finalists. Kevin Winter – Getty Images
But it was Carrie’s incredible singing voice that really left an impression. She had selected Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” even though she listed Martina McBride as her personal idol. “Not just because she’s a good singer but because she seems like a very good person,” she reasoned. Her now famously powerful pipes soared through the somber melody.
“I think you’re very good,” Simon said, “and I was saying to someone the other day that I’m surprised we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition yet.”
Randy had only one recommendation before they sent her on to the next round: that Carrie should work on her emotion and stage presence.
As we know now, Carrie advanced all the way to the top, nailing live performances of “Alone” by Heart and “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts.
With a slew of awards including eight Grammys, it’s safe to say she’s more than met Randy’s challenge.
“We were having the worst American Idol season I have ever had in my life,” Simon recalled during Carrie’s Hollywood Walk of Fame induction. “The whole show was in what I call gray and white. It was nothing. And then, this shy lady walks in and sings, ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me,’ and the show turned into full color at that point.”
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