Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who first gained recognition as the winner of the fourth season of "American Idol" in 2005. Her debut album, "Some Hearts," was released in November of the same year and quickly became the best-selling album of 2006 across all genres in the United States. The album is certified nine times platinum by the RIAA, marking it as the highest album certification of any country artist to emerge since 2000. "Some Hearts" features popular singles like "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats," both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.

Awarded numerous Grammys, Country Music Association Awards, and Billboard Music Awards, Underwood's influence in the music industry is indisputable. Following the release of "Some Hearts," she has released multiple multi-platinum albums that have topped the charts, such as "Carnival Ride," "Blown Away," "Cry Pretty," and "Storyteller." Over the years, she has also collaborated with various musical artists, such as Ludacris, Matthew West, and David Bisbal. In 2022, she released "Ghost Story" as the lead single from her ninth studio album, "Denim & Rhinestones."

Not limited to music, Underwood has also ventured into acting and writing. She made her acting debut in the film "Soul Surfer" and later starred in the live television adaptation of The Sound of Music in 2013. In 2020, she released her first book, "Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life." The book reflects her dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle, which is also expressed in her fitness apparel line, CALIA by Carrie. Underwood is set to return to "American Idol" in 2025 following her Vegas residency to replace Katy Perry as a judge.

Underwood's humanitarian efforts are also noteworthy. She has supported her hometown community through her foundation, C.A.T.S. (Checotah Animal, Town, and School) Foundation. She is also a known advocate for animal rights, reflecting her lifestyle as a vegetarian. In fact, in 2007, she was voted "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" by PETA.