Before kicking off 2016 with her “Storyteller” album tour, Carrie Underwood made sure she was around for the New Year festivities right before the ball dropped.
12 years earlier, in 2004, the singer stepped into the spotlight when she auditioned for American Idol.
Carrie Underwood wears her hair up at the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” celebration held on December 31, 2015, in New York City’s Times Square
When did Carrie Underwood audition for American Idol?
Underwood auditioned for American Idol in the summer of 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. She turned 21 just a few months earlier, on March 10, 2004.
“I just think she’s beautiful and I think she’s got the voice, so I hope she’s going on, but I don’t know,” her mom Carole Underwood said before the audition, adding, “I have faith.”
Carrie Underwood was 21-years-old when auditioning for American Idol in St. Louis, Missouri, singing Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
“I think you’re very good,” English television personality Simon Cowell said, “and I was saying to someone the other day that I’m surprised we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition yet.”
After she sang “Could’ve Been” by Tiffany on the top 12 girls night, judge Simon said she would be one of the favorites to win the competition.
Carrie Underwood was 22 when winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005
On May 25, 2005, having turned 22 two months earlier on March 10, 2005, Underwood became the season four winner. The runner up was Harold Elwin “Bo” Bice Jr., an American singer and musician.
“We were having the worst American Idol season I have ever had in my life,” Simon recalled during Carrie’s Hollywood Walk of Fame induction in September 2018.
“The whole show was in what I call gray and white. It was nothing. And then, this shy lady walks in and sings, ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me,’ and the show turned into full color at that point.”
American Idol winner Carrie Underwood and runner up Harold Elwin “Bo” Bice Jr. pose at the American Idol Finale: Results Show held at The Renaissance Hotel on May 25, 2005, in Hollywood, California
The singer performed some of her hits at the New York Times Square for the annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
Carrie Underwood wears a metallic blue suit for New Year’s Eve
Emily Osment’s lookalike wore a matching metallic blue blazer-and-pants ensemble, which was totally apt for the midnight festivities.
Carrie Underwood’s feet in Giuseppe Zanotti pumps
The then 32-year-old finished her New Year look with the “Lucrezia” mesh cutout pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Carrie uploaded a few photos on her Instagram, which included a photo of her band and the Times Square crowd.
Carrie Underwood participates in an interview during the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” celebration
The country star didn’t forget to upload a shoutout photo to her hunky husband, who both celebrated the anniversary of their first kiss, which also took place on the first of the year.
Carrie Underwood poses with her band on New Year. Caption: “Best. Band. Ever!”
Get Carrie’s “Lucrezia” pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti by hopping over to Farfetch or Nordstrom.
Giuseppe Zanotti Lucrezia Pointy-Toe Pumps, $885
Credit: Carrie Underwood's Instagram / TNYF / WENN / Nikki Nelson