Carrie Underwood Encourages Performers to Put Faith First
Singer Carrie Underwood has found a way to remain popular in the country music world without compromising her Christian principles.
“You don’t have to … sell your soul to make it in the entertainment industry,” she told “The Christian Post” after serving as a judge on the Songs of Faith episode of “American Idol.” “You are going to have to stand strong in your faith and remember who got you here, because it wasn’t you.”
On that show, Underwood performed the hymn “How Great Thou Art” with former “Idol” contestants Filo, Canaan and Kolbi, while judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan opened with “Jesus Is Love.” The episode, which was broadcast during Easter week, combined contestants performing songs centered on faith with moments of prayer and worship.
“I love that we were able to just be joyful and, you know, kind of have some moments of just worship in front of the world,” she said. “I feel like I’m still downloading all that we just experienced.”
Underwood, who has been credited for the show’s renewed emphasis on faith-themed programming, praised the show for leaning into something she said is often difficult to embrace in the entertainment industry.
“I mean, what’s not to love?” she said. “I respect ABC and ‘American Idol’ so much for being bold in this theme, because it’s not easy. I feel like in the world of entertainment in general, it’s not easy But I also love that it was a gentle way. It’s songs of faith, and it was kind of what that means to you as hopeful. So it’s not like we were making everybody sing about Jesus. It’s kind of like you could take that and sing something inspirational that means something to you.”
Keyla Richardson, a pastor’s daughter, sang Maverick City Music’s “Jireh,” while mother-of-three Hannah Harper performed Chris Tomlin’s “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” and Kyndal sang an indie version of “Nothing but the Blood.”
Underwood said she hopes her journey from contestant to global star encourages aspiring artists navigating the industry while holding onto their faith. “Remember where your gifts come from, because it’s not from you,” she said. “Everybody kind of has to make their own way, but it is possible.”
–Alan Goforth
