Reflecting on a journey of fan support and career highlights
Country music sensation Carrie Underwood has reached yet another monumental milestone in her illustrious career. As the American Music Awards celebrated its 50th Anniversary Special on October 6, 2024, Underwood couldn’t help but look back with pride and nostalgia. The artist, who has been a mainstay in the country music scene for nearly two decades, shared her thoughts on her early success and the significance of the AMAs in her career.
A Look Back: Carrie’s Breakthrough Moment
Carrie Underwood, who skyrocketed to fame after winning American Idol, reflected on her major breakthrough at the AMAs in 2006. “It is so special to me that I won the Breakthrough Artist back in 2006—you have one shot to get breakthrough awards,” she said in a heartfelt promo video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter). The achievement was a turning point in her career, marking her official arrival in the competitive world of music.
Underwood’s connection to her fan base has been a critical component of her enduring success. “It is such an honor to win fan-voted awards,” she continued, acknowledging how fan support has been a cornerstone of her journey. “They have always been supportive of me since day one. That’s literally how I got into this business. It is for people voting for me. I will look at those awards and just still—my mind is blown.”
Memorable Moments at the AMAs
In her nearly 20-year career, Carrie Underwood has been nominated for a staggering 23 American Music Awards, taking home 17. With numerous wins for Favorite Country Album and Favorite Female Country Artist, she remains one of the most celebrated artists in the genre. While reminiscing, Underwood shared one of her most treasured AMA memories: receiving an award from iconic musicians Slash and Scott Weiland. “Getting an award from them was just super surreal,” she said, recalling the surreal moment with reverence.
Although Underwood wasn’t nominated at this year’s AMAs, her legacy as a dominant force in country music remains intact. Her fans, as always, were quick to shower her with praise. “The real queen of country music,” one fan commented on Instagram. “Country queen and #AMAs queen,” another added, highlighting the deep connection between Underwood and her audience.
Fan Reactions to the AMAs Format
While Carrie Underwood’s fans were thrilled to hear her reflections, not everyone was as enthusiastic about the format of the 50th Anniversary Special. Some viewers took to social media to express their disappointment with the show. “American Music Awards with no awards and it’s 50 mins into it! What a waste,” one fan exclaimed. Another viewer echoed the sentiment, asking, “Is this show an awards show? What is it?”
Regardless of the mixed reviews of the anniversary special, Carrie Underwood’s reflections on her career and fan-driven success continue to solidify her status as one of country music’s most cherished artists. For Underwood, the 50th AMAs will forever stand as a testament to her journey from a breakthrough artist to a reigning queen of country music.