These days, Carrie Underwood’s life is that of a superstar with her own HBO special.
But back in 2005, she was just a farm girl with Hollywood dreams.
Underwood’s First Audition
In Underwood’s first audition on “American Idol,” she sang “I Can’t Make You Love Me” a capella.
The judges loved it.
“I was saying to someone the other day, ‘I’m surprised that we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition yet,’” Simon Cowell said.
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Meanwhile, despite the pandemic, this holiday season is a lucky one for Underwood. She’s releasing “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” on HBO Max this Dec. 3. Underwood also put out her first holiday album, “My Gift,” this September.
A Holiday Special Despite the Pandemic
In the special, Underwood sings along with her band, a live orchestra and a choir, the Tennessean reports. Actor Tom Hanks’ company, Playtone, produced the event.
As for the songs on the special, Underwood sings a mix of classics and original material from her new album. The audience also gets to take a peek behind the scenes at Underwood recording “Little Drummer Boy” with her five-year-old son Isaiah.
“I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Playtone and HBO Max to bring My Gift to life,” Underwood said, according to Broadway World. “Just like the album, I hope this special will help bring some much-needed joy and become part of the soundtrack to people’s holiday festivities this year as it streams throughout the season and beyond.”
Never mind her humble blue-jeans-and-T-shirt roots. Underwood is now collaborating with Emmy Award-winning costume designer Marina Toybina. And who executive produced her special? None other than Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
“This special is an homage to the classic, timeless holiday specials, highlighting the vocal gifts of the incomparable Carrie Underwood,” said Goetzman. “She’s an artist who transcends genres and shows here why audiences love her around the world.”
