is sharing her passion for music and
living a healthy lifestyle.
Carrie Underwood
Known as
the queen
of modern country, multi-platinum artist
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M
usic has always played an important part in
Carrie Underwood’s life. She started singing at
her church when she was just three, and some of her earliest performances were at festivals in her
“Growing up, I saw incredible, talented women like Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton and Barbara Mandrell just doing it all and I wanted to be like them,” she says. “They showed me you could come from a small town and, with hard work and determination, accomplish more than I ever dared to dream of.”
Underwood was raised on a cattle farm with a father who worked in a paper mill and a mother who was an elementary school teacher. “I grew up in a small town with two older sisters who were already teenagers when I was little, so they were out and about with school activities and with their friends most of the time,” she says. That left her to her own dreams. “I knew when I was a teenager that I loved singing and wanted to pursue it professionally,” Underwood says.
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small hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, which has just over 3,000 residents.
launched her into the spotlight, Underwood went from singing in her hometown to performing on physically demanding arena tours in front of thousands. Fitness is crucial for her, because Underwood draws on strength from her entire body when she sings. This makes her the perfect partner for BODYARMOR, a sports hydration company dedicated to creating better-for-you hydration products. Find BODYARMOR in-store at Hy-Vee.
Carrie Underwood is one of music’s biggest superstars, with record-setting success. She’s won 25 CMT Music Awards (more than any other artist), eight Grammys and 16 Academy of Country Music Awards. The world was introduced to Underwood on the fourth season of American Idol, where her powerful voice and penchant for country songs made her a fan favorite and the eventual winner. When her American Idol win
Underwood may be known as a country artist, but much of the music throughout her career has been influenced by a blend of genres. “I grew up listening to all kinds of music, so my influences cover everything from gospel hymns to rock to pop and, of course, I’ve always loved country music,” Underwood says. “It’s all in me and I’m lucky to get to bring those influences to albums like My Savior and now my latest album Denim & Rhinestones, which covers a lot of musical ground.” In addition to her albums featuring country music, such as Play On and Storyteller, Underwood has also released a Christmas album, My Gift, and a Grammy-winning gospel album, My Savior.
Musical influences
Throughout her career, Underwood has used her platform to highlight many causes. In 2009, she founded the Checotah Animal, Town and School (C.A.T.S.) Foundation to help support needs in her hometown. Underwood has also represented, supported or held benefit concerts for charities such as Save the Children, Stand Up to Cancer, Danita’s Children and Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Giving Back
PHOTO Kevin Winter/Getty Images
At a glance
Carrie's Career
Competes on, and wins, American Idol’s fourth season.
2005
Wins a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, her first of eight Grammys.
2007
Co-hosts the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley, the first of 12 years as a host.
2008
Is honored by the Academy of Country Music in a Superstar Women of Country special.
2011
Releases ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones.
2022
Releases her New York Times bestselling book Find Your Path.
2020
Performs show open of NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the first of 10 consecutive seasons.
2013
Fourth album Blown Away debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200.
2012
Peak
Performance—
on stage and in
the gym—drives underwood’s wellness
goals.
—Carrie underwood
“After years of finding out what works best for me and my health, the one thing I’ve realized is that when I eat and drink better things, I have more energy to do everything I am asking my body to do.”
BODYARMOR Partnership
BODYARMOR is a premium coconut water-based sports drink that contains electrolytes and antioxidants to help hydrate the body and replenish minerals lost through sweat. Available at Hy-Vee in more than 25 different flavors, each drink is made with natural flavors and no artificial sweeteners or dyes. BODYARMOR LYTE has the same delicious taste and beneficial ingredients as the original variety but with 20 calories per 16-oz. bottle.
Look for Bodyarmor at your local Hy-Vee. Flavors include kiwi strawberry, blueberry pomegranate and more.
Bodyarmor sports drink & Lyte
underwood is bodyarmor’s first non-Pro athlete celebrity partner.
Underwood
also wrote the
book find your path, in which she shares her personal insights about making exercise and nutritious eating
lifelong habits.
to be able to hit the notes. "After years of finding out what works best for me and my health, the one thing I’ve realized is that when I eat and drink better things, I have more energy to do everything I am asking my body to do, whether it’s performing, working out or just getting through my busy day,” Underwood says.
nderwood is known for her show-stopping performances on tour, all of which require
her to be in top physical form
U
Outside of music, my greatest passion is health and fitness. I
just love learning about what my body can do when I give it what it needs.”
PHOTO Gabriel Bouys/Getty Images
A: My Denim & Rhinestones Tour
continues through March, and later this year I will resume my ongoing Las Vegas residency, Reflection, at Resorts World Las Vegas. Hope to see you all out there!
Q. What can we look forward to seeing from you this year?
A: Being the best mom, wife, sister and daughter I can be.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement so far?
A: I have discovered how much I truly love gardening. It has become one of my favorite things to do. I love canning and cooking and eating food I’ve grown in my own garden!
Q. Favorite way to unwind?
A: The Grand Ole Opry.
Q. Favorite performance venue?
A: That will always be my hometown, Checotah, Oklahoma.
Q. Favorite city to visit?
A: Work hard and treat people well. Show up prepared and do your best to exceed people’s expectations.
Q. What is your best career advice?
A: I was studying broadcast journalism before I auditioned for American Idol and everything changed for me, so I think that’s what I would be doing.
Q. If you weren’t in the music industry, what job would you have?
A: I’ve learned to embrace all the musical influences that are in me and not to try to put myself in any one lane or box. When you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. Just be true to yourself and follow your instincts.
Q. How has your music evolved over the course of your career?
A: There are so many…but performing
with Axl Rose during my Stagecoach set last year, and then getting to perform with Guns N’ Roses in London last summer was something I will always cherish.
Q. What is your favorite “wow” moment from your career?
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Her big break came when she auditioned for American Idol. “I saw a news story for the auditions in St. Louis, and my mom said she would drive me,” Underwood says. “I almost didn’t go, but I’m glad I did now!” Her performance of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt earned a “yes” from all three judges, and a ticket to compete in Los Angeles. “The trip to Hollywood for the next round of auditions was my first time flying on a plane,” Underwood says.
Almost from her very first week, Underwood was a fan favorite on the show. She was a frontrunner through most of the competition, earning enough votes to keep her safe from elimination every week. “I’ll always have fond memories—it helped launch my career,” Underwood says. “It first opened me up to critiques and how to handle and learn from them, along with creating a ‘thick skin.’”
Even though she’s 17 years into her recording career, Underwood still gets a thrill every time she releases new music.
“The decision to partner with BODYARMOR was easy for me,” Underwood says. “I believe that what you put into your body matters, and so does BODYARMOR. I love BODYARMOR LYTE, which is a low-calorie, no-sugar-added premium sports drink, and BODYARMOR SportWater is also with me wherever I go...all day, every day.” Underwood teamed up with BODYARMOR in 2021, and her current favorite flavor is BODYARMOR LYTE kiwi strawberry. “BODYARMOR LYTE is great post-workout, because the electrolytes, vitamins and antioxidants help replenish what I lose,” Underwood says.
Sometimes, balancing everything means making compromises, like including her two kids in a workout or taking the day off. “While music will always be my first love and priority, I’m fortunate to have been able to also pursue my passion for health and fitness and build a personal brand I can stand behind and be proud of,” Underwood says.
Her demanding schedule—at home and on tour—made teaming up with BODYARMOR an easy choice. “Staying healthy and focusing on my wellness is something that I’m very passionate about, and BODYARMOR is a perfect fit for my busy lifestyle,” Underwood says.
BODYARMOR SportWater is an alkaline water with pH9+ and a proprietary electrolyte formula. Featuring a bottle made with recycled plastic and a wide-mouth cap, BODYARMOR SportWater is built for all-day hydration.
bodyarmor sportwater
Motion
underwood is bodyarmor’s first non-Pro athlete celebrity partner.
Releases ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones.
2022
Releases her New York Times bestselling book Find Your Path.
2020
Performs show open of NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the first of 10 consecutive seasons.
2013
Fourth album Blown Away debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200.
2012
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