“They’re Going To Send Me Home”: Carrie Underwood Recalls Nearly Getting the Boot From ‘American Idol’

American Idol brought back a legend for season 23. Carrie Underwood, whose season 4 victory launched her career as one of the all-time most successful women in country music, is back, this time on the judging panel. The “Blown Away” songstress, 42, brings a unique perspective to the long-running reality show. With Hollywood Week currently underway, perhaps no one understands the accompanying pressures better than Underwood. In an episode of From Idol to Icon, the country star took a trip down memory lane.

Watch Carrie Underwood Relive Her ‘American Idol’ Experience

Carrie Underwood knows all too well that Hollywood Week is a make-or-break experience for American Idol hopefuls. It’s the time “where Idol stars emerge—or, in my case, they totally mess up.”

Next, the nine-time CMA Award winner watched a clip of her 21-year-old self performing Candi Staton’s 1976 disco-soul hit “Young Hearts Run Free.” What’s the sense in sharing this one and only life? the future superstar sings. Endin’ up just another…

That’s where Underwood’s memory seemingly fails her. To her credit, however, she finishes the song like nothing happened. That’s a lesson that has stuck with the “Somethin’ Bad” singer throughout her career.

“I did forget the words, but I feel like in that moment, it was more about how you jump back in,” she said. “And we’ve had a couple contestants now that we’ve seen mess up some words and kind of lose track of where they were. And it’s such a huge moment. You could have practiced this song a million times, but the important thing is, you’ve got to get back on the horse and get back going.”

Somewhat coyly, she added, “And I guess it didn’t hurt me too much in there.”

She Thought That Was It

Although we now know how this story ends, Carrie Underwood remembers thinking that was the end of her American Idol journey.

“I was like, ‘Why?’” she recalled. “This was my moment, and I forgot the words. They’re going to send me home.”

To her shock, the “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer received unanimous “yes” votes from judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. She would make it all the way to finale night, where viewers crowned her the decisive winner over runner-up Bo Bice.

Featured image by Ray Mickshaw/WireImage