From humble beginnings in Checotah, Oklahoma, to the American Idol stage and some of the largest arenas in the world, Carrie Underwood has built a career that few can match.
The 42-year-old had already solidified herself as a powerhouse in country music when her performance at the 2025 inauguration proved that her talent transcends genres and audiences.
In addition to being a musical superstar, Carrie is a wife, mother, businesswoman, and more.
Check out seven things that Carrie Underwood is known for besides country music!
Animal Lover
Carrie Underwood has a big heart for four-legged creatures. She and her family have various farm animals on their homestead, and recently, their donkeys welcomed a new foal.
In 2009, Carrie established the C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation) in her hometown. One of the organization’s main focuses was to build a new animal shelter emphasizing “the importance of spay and neutering, pet adoption, and general pet welfare.”
In addition to promoting animal welfare, the foundation funds local school projects such as “updated computer labs to enhance the learning experience, musical instruments, and equipment for music education, and new playground equipment to promote being active.”
Avid Gardener & Cook
Carrie Underwood has a green thumb that many would envy. She regularly shares photos of her harvests online, including garlic, tomatoes, carrots, and more.
Reflecting on her passion for growing her own food, she shared:
“I do very much enjoy gardening and homesteading. We grow fruits, like apples and peaches, and I feel like I’m always making something, like mead, out of honey. It’s really cool when people come over, and you can serve them bread that you made or some hard apple cider from your orchard. I like doing stuff like that.”
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Fitness Mogul
Ever wonder how Carrie Underwood attained such enviable legs? As Carrie’s trainer, Eve Overland, said, fitness is “a way of life” for the singer. Overland told Shape Magazine:
“Carrie understands that staying strong, mobile, and conditioned is so important in all aspects of her life, on and off the stage. Working out is self-care and her me time.”
Additionally, Carrie was the face of the apparel line Calia from 2015 to 2021 and launched her own fitness app, Fit52, in 2020.
Motherhood & Marriage
Carrie Underwood married former professional hockey player Mike Fisher on July 10, 2010. Since then, the pair have welcomed two sons: Isaiah, born on February 27, 2015, and Jacob, born on January 21, 2019.
Despite her high-profile lifestyle, Carrie mainly keeps her young boys out of the spotlight and only occasionally shares photos or videos of them online.
In a prior interview, Carrie detailed how she aims to raise her children:
“Down-to-earth, church on Sundays, plenty of grass and trees and space outside for them to roam. At night, when we put the boys to bed, we pray out loud with them. Just talking to God, letting them know he hears their every word.”
Outspoken Christian
Carrie credits her home church in Checotah, Oklahoma, with giving her the opportunity to sing in public for the first time. As she continued in her music career, she prioritized faith and a relationship with God. Even during her American Idol days, she recalls “saying a prayer and leaving it in God’s hands” every time she had to sing in front of the judges.
In 2021, Carrie released a gospel album titled My Savior, which contained beloved hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Recently, the Grammy-award-winner surprised a Nashville congregation when she led worship during a Sunday morning service. See the video below!
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Actress
As a multitalented entertainer, Carrie Underwood has shown off her acting chops on a few occasions over the years. Most notably, she played the role of Sarah Hill in the 2011 film Soul Surfer, which depicted the life of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton.
Carrie has also made cameo appearances in How I Met Your Mother (2010) and Kobra Kai (2021).
American Idol Judge
Carrie Underwood’s career has now come full circle. She has returned as a judge for season 24 of American Idol. In the role, she says she hopes to be “honest and constructive, but still kind.”
Alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, she hopes to give aspiring artists the opportunity that she had more than 20 years ago.
American Idol airs every Monday night on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu the next day.
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