Twenty years ago,Carrie Underwood's hit song "Before He Cheats" helped catapult her to superstardom less than two years after she was named the winner ofAmerican Idol. But she almost didn't even record the sassy country anthem.
"I remember, even when we were talking about recording that song, it was kind of like, 'Oh, is this too aggressive?'" Underwood toldPeopleabout the Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear-penned hit. "Because I was, like, a sweet farm girl on [American Idol]. And I hope that's who I still am! But it was almost, 'Maybe we don't do this song.'"
Underwood won Season 4 ofAmerican Idolin May 2005 and released her debut album,Some Hearts, later that year. "Before He Cheats" was included on the album, but it wasn't until it was released as a single in 2006 that it became a mega pop/country crossover hit.
"Everybody loved it so much, [so] we went for it and it worked," Underwood added. "Yeah, 20 years later, we still see people perform it, and it's a lot of fun." As for her own performances, Underwood noted that her voice, musicality, songwriting, and performance abilities have "grown" over the years. "I feel better," she said. "I'm at that point in my life and in my career where, in all of those things, I feel like my skillset keeps growing."
In 2025, Underwood's story came full circle when she joinedAmerican Idolas a judge, replacingKaty Perry, who had previously sat at the judges' table for seven seasons. Underwoodfit in seamlesslywith fellow judgesLionel RichieandLuke Bryan, and now, all three are back forSeason 24.
This season, for the first time ever, the show's iconic Hollywood Week is relocating to Nashville for a Music City Takeover. Hollywood Week is often the toughest part of the competition for contestants. Those who make it through Auditions are put through a rigorous few days of rehearsals and performances, with the judges deciding who will move onto the next round.
American Idol, Season 24 Premiere, Monday, January 26, 8/7c, ABC
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