Carrie Underwood recently indulged in a nostalgic moment as she revisited a memorable performance from her time on American Idol back in 2005.
Now at 42, the iconic singer looked back on Simon Cowell’s feedback on her rendition of “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, two decades after the original performance.
During the show, Simon had characterized Carrie’s performance as somewhat ‘robotic,’ though he acknowledged her exceptional vocal execution, calling it ‘beautiful’ and ‘very good.’
Reflecting on the critique via Instagram on Thursday, the Grammy winner candidly agreed with the British judge, admitting, “He wasn’t wrong.”
“I will say he wasn’t wrong,” Carrie conceded. “At that stage in the competition — being in the top five — it didn’t seem like the right time to take big risks,” she rationalized.
The talented singer elaborated, “So, it was about choosing something within my comfort zone and then focusing on the staging.”
Carrie Underwood took a trip down memory lane this week as she looked back on one of her 2005 American Idol performances
20 years later, the 42-year-old singer is sharing her reaction to former Idol judge Simon Cowell’s critique of her rendition of Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
‘But then also — I consider myself a vocalist, like I want to sing things well. And if I ever try to think too much about what I’m doing on stage, I feel like my vocals suffer.’
‘So [Simon] was not wrong,’ she reiterated before playfully showing off robot dance moves.
In a caption shared with her 13.3 million followers, she joked, ‘Robotic then…but how ‘bout these robot moves?!’
Carrie also said about the Rascal Flatts tune: ‘I love singing “Bless The Broken Road.” Grateful for every broken road that led me here!’
She went on to win the singing competition’s fourth season that year, which launched her two-decades-long music career.
Underwood has been an American Idol judge since earlier this year when she filled the spot previously held by Katy Perry.
Season 23 of the long-running series premiered in March, and fans were overjoyed to see the Oklahoma native’s return.
The two-hour premiere episode saw auditions take place in Nashville, Tennessee as well as Los Angeles.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the Grammy-winning music artist said about the British record executive’s analysis of her early aughts performance: ‘He wasn’t wrong’
‘If I ever try to think too much about what I’m doing on stage, I feel like my vocals suffer,’ Carrie said in defense of her performance
Underwood has been an American Idol judge since earlier this year when she filled Katy Perry’s spot
Taking to X following the show, one fan wrote, ‘Carrie, you are a natural at this. You did such a great job. Hope you’re here for at least a few seasons. @AmericanIdol #AmericanIdol There are so many great contestants this year!!! #CUonIDOL.’
Someone else added, ‘Watching @carrieunderwood as a judge on @AmericanIdol is so special for me… thank you for 20 years of comfort, Carrie.’
Another viewer said, ‘Such a powerful first episode of #AmericanIdol @carrieunderwood You were simply AMAZING!!! Welcome home! @LionelRichie @lukebryan ❤️you guys!!’
And someone gushed, ‘That was the best episode of American Idol I have seen in a long time. Welcome @carrieunderwood.’
Another satisfied fan said, ‘@carrieunderwood new judge ratings after tonights 2-week premiere- Likability 10/10 Been there done that 10/10 Good with kids 10/10 Street cred 9/10 Style 10/10 Real emotion shared 9/10 Tough advice 8/10 KORN song 100/10.’
