ST.Carrie Underwood’s “How Great Thou Art” Leaves American Idol in Awe And Inspires a Grammy Winner’s Fangirl Moment
When Carrie Underwood stepped onto the American Idol stage to perform “How Great Thou Art,” the air changed. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a spiritual experience. The same powerhouse vocals that won Season 4 now carried a deeper, richer weight, proving why she remains Idol’s most successful alumni nearly 20 years later.
Watch as Underwood builds the hymn like a storm; starting with vulnerable tenderness before unleashing those impossible high notes that ripple through the studio. The camera catches Lionel Richie’s jaw dropping, Luke Bryan frozen mid-clap. This is Underwood at her finest: no flashy production, just raw vocal perfection. When she hits that final “Then sings my soul,” you can feel the audience’s collective shiver.
Carrie Underwood Performs “How Great Thou Art” | American Idol 2025
The comments overflow with praise: “Goosebumps every time” and “This healed something in me.” But the most telling reaction came from Grammy winner Brandon Lake, who later admitted: “I screamed like a little girl meeting her!” Even music’s biggest names still get starstruck by Underwood’s once-in-a-generation talent.
The final note of “How Great Thou Art” still hangs in the air when the camera cuts to backstage chaos; Grammy winner Brandon Lake is pacing like an excited puppy, running nervous hands through his hair. “She’s coming!” someone whispers. Then the moment: Underwood rounds the corner and Lake’s professional composure shatters. His squeal echoes through the halls as he claps hands to his mouth, starstruck eyes locking onto his idol. This isn’t just a meet-and-greet; it’s raw, unfiltered worship between artists.
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Watch as the usually composed Lake completely loses his cool meeting his idol. “You’re a staple in our house!” Underwood tells him, while the Christian music star squeals like a contestant himself. This genuine mutual admiration shows how Underwood bridges genres; equally revered in country, gospel, and beyond.
From TikTok vocal coaches analyzing her technique to Instagram fan covers, Underwood’s Idol performances keep inspiring new generations. Her ability to move between sacred hymns and fiery country anthems makes her influence truly unique in music today.
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