Carrie Underwood

Who Is Carrie Underwood Rooting For On 'American Idol'?

22 May 2012 09:43:56 EDT

'Both of them have very bright futures ahead of them,' Underwood tells MTV News of Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips.
By Gil Kaufman, with reporting by Kara Warner

Carrie Underwood knows exactly how Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez are feeling right about now. The former "American Idol" champ is a long way from her nail-biting days of waiting for the finale of the show, but she can sympathize with how the season 11 finalists are sweating it as they await their last chance to win America over on Tuesday night's performance finale.

And, like every former "Idol" who walks a red carpet in the days and weeks leading up to the big reveal, MTV News just had to ask her who she's betting on and which singer she thinks has the best chance at a career. "Fifty-fifty," she said when MTV caught up with Underwood outside the Billboard Music Awards  on Sunday night of the odds that a woman would come out on top after a four-year drought. "There's only two left, whatever will happen will be good. I think she and Phillip ... They're both so different musically that I think both of them have very bright futures ahead of them."

After 90 million viewers voted last week in a nationwide referendum that sent promising R&B belter Joshua Ledet  home, Sanchez and Phillips will have three more chances to pad their voting totals in advance of Wednesday's two-hour season finale. On Tuesday night, they will each revisit their favorite performance of the year, as well as singing a tune chosen by show co-creator Simon Fuller and revealing the winner and runner-up's signature original songs.

Thanks to his good looks, easy-going personality and studied refusal to listen to anyone but himself, Phillips has cruised through the competition so far with nary a stumble. He's stuck to his plaid shirt and jeans, guitar-strumming, foot-shuffling jam band persona, which has led some "Idol" watchers to dub him the latest in a long line of "WGWG," or "white guys with guitars," who've taken the crown the past four years.

Sanchez, 16, however, has the chance to become the youngest and most improbable "Idol" champ ever. The dainty high school singer with the titanic diva voice is the only contestant in show history to rebound from a potential elimination and judge's save to the finale. Whereas Phillips is low-key and tends to stick to acoustic guitar jams, Sanchez favors the kind of big, showy R&B numbers that used to rule the day on "Idol."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Robin Gibb Mourned By Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood

21 May 2012 00:10:26 EDT

At Billboard Music Awards, Jordin Sparks recalls paying tribute to the Bee Gees during her time on 'American Idol.'
By Kara Warner

The music industry lost yet another influential artist Sunday (May 20), with the untimely death of Bee Gees' member Robin Gibb.

The news was met with sadness and shock from the celeb attendees at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards. They were quick to express heartfelt sentiments to Gibb's family and friends, as well as weigh in on the huge impact the Bee Gees had on the music industry as a whole.

"Oh no!" Jordin Sparks said in shock upon hearing the news. "I thought he was doing better. Barry Gibb [Robin's brother and fellow Bee Gee], when I was on '[American] Idol,' he was one of our mentors, and it was so amazing to meet him. I actually discovered my love for Bee Gees music through that week, and 'Too Much Heaven' and 'Emotions' are two of my favorite songs, and 'Stayin' Alive,' of course. Classic. But it's so sad," she added. "I just can't [believe it]."

"I definitely listened to the Bee Gees," Justin Bieber told us. "I'm not too familiar with them, but it's definitely sad what happened. My heart goes out to him and his family."

"My first memory of the Bee Gees was the film 'Saturday Night Fever,' which is one of my favorites," recalled Max George of the Wanted. "I love the Bee Gees. They're obviously legends and heroes of ours and people we look up to. It's a really sad loss. Our thoughts go out to all of his family."

Chart-topper Carrie Underwood remembered discovering the group during her childhood. "My parents listened to the Bee Gees quite a bit when I was little, so I was definitely exposed to them at an early age. They just had a sound that was all their own, obviously, [it was] never duplicated," she said. "They were very influential on music in general, and it's very sad to hear about any loss. There have been a lot of legends lost this year, so it's always sad to see it happen, but they are paying a couple of tributes here [at the Billboard Music Awards], and I know that they'll be classy and respectful and allow us all to remember them."

Singer/songwriter and recent "Dancing With the Stars" castmember Gavin DeGraw spoke to the group's influence with their own music, as well as the hit songs they went on to write for other artists.

"Let's talk about the Bee Gees. That's an iconic group. Not just a great band, but a great group of songwriters," DeGraw said. "Even long after the Bee Gees' success on the pop charts, they were still writing songs for other people, huge hit songs. Their talent went far beyond their moment of normal pop success. It is a loss to the music industry and a loss of an iconic group. The beauty of this industry is that we do pay tribute and every artist coming up is a fan of a generation prior to it, so there's a real tradition element to it."

Please share your condolences for Gibb's family, friends and fans in the comments.

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Carrie Underwood Repeats As Billboard Champ

16 May 2012 10:55:05 EDT

Blown Away #1 again as Adele moves back up to #2.
By Gil Kaufman

Just as the 11th season of "American Idol" is wheezing to a close , the top three contenders can take some heart in the fact that former champ Carrie Underwood is still at the top of her game. Underwood's latest, Blown Away, will spend a second week at the top of the Billboard 200 charts thanks to sales of 120,000, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

Though sales were down 55 percent, that was enough to edge out a resurgent Adele, who may have benefitted from the Mother's Day Bump for her unstoppable 21, which was up 31 percent and two spots to #2 on sales of 101,000. That holiday push helped lift Adele over the 9 million mark in the U.S., with diamond status now well within reach.

The rest of the top 10 was fairly stable, with buzz band Silversun Pickups landing an impressive debut at #6 with their third full-length studio album, Neck of the Woods, while Tank rumbled in at #9 with This is How I Feel (33,000).

The rest of the top 10: Lionel Richie continues his remarkable late-career roll with Tuskegee, which moved up three spots to #3 (71,000) as sales passed the 750,000 mark. NOW 42 held in at #4 (65,000), followed by Norah Jones, Little Broken Hearts (60,000), One Direction, Up All Night (#7, 40,000), Jack White, Blunderbuss (#8, 34,000) and Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines (#10, 26,000).

It was a swift trip in, and out, of the top 10 for B.o.B, whose Strange Clouds fell seven spots in week two to #12 as sales dipped by 67 percent to 25,000. Further down the line, British soft rockers Keane were in at #17 with Strangeland (19,000), while "SNL" musical guests and Internet sensations Karmin snuck into the top 20 at #18 with their debut EP, Hello (19,000).

Underwood also topped the iTunes album chart, acing out Silversun Pickups, who were followed by Adele, B.o.B, One Direction, Karmin, Keane, Gotye's Making Mirrors, White and Jones. On the iTunes singles chart, Maroon 5 locked down #1 with "Payphone," beating out Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" and fun.'s "We Are Young." Flo Rida was at #6 with "Wild Ones," Nicki Minaj just behind with "Starships," then One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful," Jennifer Lopez's "Dance Again" and 2 Chainz's "No Lie."

The top 10 will get shaken up next week with the arrival of Adam Lambert's second major-label album, as well as new discs from Beach House, Godsmack, the "Glee" Cast Graduation album and the newest slab of rockitude from Tenacious D.

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Carrie Underwood Scores Third #1 Debut With Blown Away

09 May 2012 11:39:38 EDT

Norah Jones debuts at #2 and B.o.B in at #5.
By Gil Kaufman

Carrie Underwood is on a roll. The former "American Idol" champ will land her third #1 debut in a row next week when Blown Away easily tops the Billboard 200 tally. Underwood sold 267,000 copies of her fourth effort, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan, which was more than enough to hold off Norah Jones , whose Danger Mouse-produced Little Broken Hearts will come in at #2 on sales of 110,000.

There were plenty of other new faces in the top 10, including NOW 42 (#3, 95,000), "So Good" rapper B.o.B's Strange Clouds  (#5, 76,000), the cast album for the NBC show "Smash" (#9, 39,000) and veteran shock rocker Marilyn Manson's Born Villain (#10, 38,000).

The rest of the top 10: Adele, 21 (#4, 77,000), Lionel Richie, Tuskegee (#6, 64,000), Jack White, Blunderbuss (#7, 56,000) and One Direction, Up All Night (#8, 45,000). Though the movie smashed just about every box office record  there is, Avengers Assemble, the hard-rocking soundtrack to "The Avengers," featuring Soundgarden, Shinedown, Rise Against, Papa Roach, Bush, Evanescence and Buckcherry, landed at #11 (27,000).

In the wake of Beastie Boys member Adam "MCA" Yauch's  death on Friday, the group's landmark 1986 debut, Licensed to Ill, broke back onto the charts at #18 on sales of 19,000, as business picked up by more than 800 percent over the previous week.

It was one of several Beastie Boys albums  that crashed back onto the charts, which also included Solid Gold Hits (#51, 8,000), Paul's Boutique (#56, 8,000), Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (#107, 4,000), Ill Communication (#109, 4,000), Check Your Head (#124, 4,000) and Anthology: Sounds of Science (#141, 3,000).

Santigold debuted at #21 with Master of My Make-Believe  (18,000), while the other British boy band, The Wanted, took a major tumble in week two for their debut EP, which plummeted 25 spots in week two to #32 as sales fell 65 percent to 12,000. Madonna also didn't have much to brag about, as MDNA shed another 20 spots to dip to #65 as sales slipped another 30 percent to just under 7,000, leaving the album short of the 500,000 mark.

Underwood also ruled the iTunes album chart, where she edged out B.o.B, who was followed by Jones, White, One Direction, the Beasties' Licensed to Ill, Adele, NOW 42, the "Smash" soundtrack and Manson. On the iTunes singles chart, Gotye continued a strong run with breakout hit, "Somebody That I Used to Know," which beat out Maroon 5's "Payphone," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," fun.'s "We Are Young" and Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend." One Direction were at #6 with "What Makes You Beautiful," followed by B.o.B's "Both of Us," Nicki Minaj's "Starships," Flo Rida's "Wild Ones" and the Wanted's "Glad You Came."

The top 10 should remain relatively stable next week, as the only new releases will come from Karmin, Silversun Pickups, Keane and Mary Mary.

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Grammys Performances: A Battle Of The American Idols

12 Feb 2012 23:34:21 EST

'American Idol' alums Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson took the stage at Sunday's awards show.
By Kara Warner

Music fans can always count on the Grammys to deliver a diverse lineup of attendees and incredible performances. And although there were somber moments due to the continued shock of Whitney Houston's death, the evening's killer performances brought moments of levity, like those of "American Idol" alums Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Kelly Clarkson was up first with "Don't You Wanna Stay," her sweet and sentimental duet with Jason Aldean that was nominated for Best Country Duo/Pop Performance. Clarkson wore a floor-length black gown with a plunging neckline with metallic embellishments, her hair down and loose around her shoulders. Aldean, who was also nominated for Best Country Solo Performance, sported a suave-looking suit and his signature cowboy hat.

Video: Watch Highlights From The 2012 Grammy Awards

Both artists and real-life friends, Clarkson and Aldean smiled at each other during the performance, their voices complementing one another beautifully. The only snag in the performance was at the very end when it seemed as though Aldean's mic stopped working. He kept singing, but Clarkson's voice was the only one heard on those last few notes.

Clarkson's "Idol" companion/compatriot Carrie Underwood performed her duet toward the end of the evening alongside music legend and 16-time Grammy winner Tony Bennett. They performed a stripped-down, shortened version of Bennett's classic "It Had to Be You," with piano accompaniment. Underwood dazzled in a fitted, glittery mermaid dress, and Bennett shined in a classic tux. Both Grammy winners seemed delighted to be performing together and equally excited to present the award for Best New Artist immediately following their performance.

Stick with MTV News for all the news on Whitney Houston's tribute, the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and more until the hangover wears off!

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Carrie Underwood Wins Big At American Country Awards

06 Dec 2011 08:16:01 EST

Jason Aldean top prize-getter with six trophies.
By Gil Kaufman

It was another lucky trip to Las Vegas for Carrie Underwood at Monday night's American Country Awards, where the former "American Idol" winner collected a trio of trophies at the star-studded event. While Jason Aldean was the top prize-getter with six awards, including Artist of the Year, Underwood took home three, including Female Artist of the Year, and Music Video and Single of the Year by a Female Artist for "Mama's Song."

Aldean was the night's biggest nominee, tied with eight nods with the Zac Brown Band. The singer's My Kinda Party swept up Album of the Year, Touring Artist of the Year and Single of the Year by a Male Artist for the album's title track. He also scored Single and Music Video of the Year for "Don't You Wanna Stay," a collaboration with original "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.

Underwood and Clarkson weren't the only twang-pop "Idol" alumni to take home the Fender Stratocaster guitar-shaped hardware at the show, co-hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Trace Adkins. Last year's winner, country crooning high schooler Scotty McCreery, was named New Artist of the Year on the same day his debut album, Clear as Day, went gold.

The night mostly belonged to Nashville's new school, as such up-and-comers as Thompson Square nabbed a trio of guitars -- Single of the Year by a New Artist and by a Group and Music Video by a New Artist for "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not." The Breakthrough Artist of the Year winner Chris Young also won Single of the Year for "Voices." Grammy winners Lady Antebellum were named Group of the Year.

These kinds of shows are typically another notch in Taylor Swift's belt, but despite six nominations, she ended the night with no new hardware.

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Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay Confirmed For I Heart Radio Festival

11 Jul 2011 11:42:07 EDT

Two-day fest, set for September 23-24 in Las Vegas, also features the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and others.
By James Montgomery

It's being billed as "the biggest live music event in radio history" (whatever that means), and so, the organizers of the brand-new iHeartRadio Festival have pulled out all the stops, delivering a lineup that's appropriately loaded with some of the biggest stars in the business.

Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler are just some of the acts set to appear at the inaugural I Heart Radio fest, scheduled for September 23 and 24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They'll be joined on the bill by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson and John Mayer (to name just a few).

Organizers promise that even more artists will be added to the bill as the summer stretches on. The eternally busy Ryan Seacrest will host the event, which will stream live online and via mobile devices at iHeartRadio.com, and across the websites of all Clear Channel-owned radio stations.

If you'd prefer to be there in person, you can get a first crack at tickets by liking iHeartRadio on Facebook. The pre-sale ends at 1 a.m. ET this Saturday, with tickets going on sale to the general public later that same day (at 1 p.m. ET) through Ticketmaster.com.

Of course, given that this is a radio fest, Clear Channel is also giving listeners plenty of chances to win a free trip to Vegas for the event. For more information on how you can score yours, check out iHeartRadio Music Festival's official site.

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Carrie Underwood To Help Pick Song For 'American Idol' Finale

24 May 2011 12:09:21 EDT

U2's Bono and the Edge will appear on Wednesday's season-ending show.
By Gil Kaufman

The star-studded lineup for the two-night season 10 "American Idol" finale is starting to come into view, and it will feature a former "Idol" champ whose career is a model for finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina.

The two country-singing teens will take the stage on Tuesday night (May 24) to sing three songs each — one their favorite from this season, another chosen by "Idol" producers and the third picked by one of their personal music idols. According to USA Today, those heroes will be Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait for Scotty and season four "Idol" champ Carrie Underwood for Lauren.

Underwood, who recently became the most successful "Idol" winner in history, is also the first and only country champion from the show.

Wednesday night's finale will feature an appearance by U2's Bono and the Edge, who will take the stage alongside the lead actor of the troubled Broadway musical "Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark," which features songs written by the iconic rock duo. The season-ending show also will include season seven "Idol" winner David Cook, who will singing this season's elimination song, Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)," as well as a performance from judge Steven Tyler.

In addition, bearded season 10 growler Casey Abrams will take the stage with "Kung Fu Panda 2" funnyman Jack Black.

Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. Get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Carrie Underwood Opens Up About 'Soul Surfer' Acting Debut

07 Apr 2011 06:52:17 EDT

'It's important to get Bethany's story out,' singer/actress tells MTV News about real-life story of surfer who lost her arm in shark attack.
By Kara Warner

Because the movie "Soul Surfer" is based on the true and inspiring story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack but overcame all odds to become a pro, the film was a real labor of love for everyone involved. Particularly so first-time actress Carrie Underwood.

When MTV News caught up with the country music superstar, she explained why she decided to make her acting debut in "Surfer," which opens on Friday. She also opened up about discovering how different the worlds of music and film really are.

"This whole movie, this whole project is important," Underwood said about signing on. "It's important to get Bethany's story out, and people being entertained but also, hopefully, people leave the movie theater feeling different about themselves in their lives and inspired," she said.

Underwood added that this was a project she really believed in and of which she wanted to be a part. "It wasn't some silly nothing movie that in 10 years nobody is going to care [about]. Hopefully, people watch this and really take something away from it."

Regarding the differences between performing onstage and performing on a film set, Underwood said she felt a little bit like a fish out of water at first, but thanks to support from the cast and crew, she got through it.

"Oh gosh, I think my singing world and the movie world are way, way, way different," she said. "I know what I'm doing when I'm singing, I feel like on the set, everyone was so nice and they helped me out so much. They were very patient with me and very understanding that this was my first movie. ... Onstage I know what to do, but in front of the lights and being on the movie set, I was pretty lost most of the time," she admitted. "But they were great."

Are you excited to see Carrie make her acting debut in "Soul Surfer"? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Soul Surfer."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Carrie Underwood Is 'Loving' New 'American Idol' Panel

01 Apr 2011 06:52:19 EDT

'Steven and J.Lo are doing such an amazing job,' she tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner

Carrie Underwood has come a long way since she was the wide-eyed winner of "American Idol" back in 2005 — with a Grammy-winning country career under her belt — but she still takes the time to watch the show that made her a star.

When MTV News caught up with Underwood recently as she promoted her acting debut in the new film "Soul Surfer," we had to ask her thoughts on the changes to the new season, particularly the new faces added to the judges' panel.

"I am loving the judges," Underwood said. "I know Simon [Cowell] was always such a huge part of the show, but if I had just started watching now, I wouldn't miss it, you know what I mean? I think Steven [Tyler] and J.Lo are doing such an amazing job. I actually got the chance to talk to Steven Tyler, and I was like, 'I'm finding out that I like you more than I thought I did.' "

Underwood said she liked the Aerosmith frontman before he joined the show, but she's enjoying seeing a softer side of his rock-star persona.

"I've always liked Steven Tyler the artist, but as a person, he's really coming across [as] charming and warm and friendly and encouraging," she said. "Of course we always knew that J.Lo is sweet and beautiful, and she's just confirming all of our previous thoughts about her by being on the show. I'm really enjoying watching it."

So who are her favorite contestants? "I always have a few that I'm watching, but I never say who they are because I remember what it was like when I was on the show, and I never liked that [when past contestants picked favorites]."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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