Carrie Underwood, 41, Sparks Talks Following a Surprise Appearance at NFL Game in Tennessee

The country music icon joined fellow “American Idol” judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest at Nissan Stadium, where they attended the game between the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans.

The “American Idol” crew embraced the Titans spirit, donning team gear and rallying fans with a spirited “Titan Up!” chant right from the field. The Titans shared a video of the group on social media, and captioned, “@AmericanIdol is in the house with a special surprise! Watch it all unfold in Spring ’25 on ABC!”

The post quickly gained traction, drawing both excitement and a flurry of reactions. While fans were thrilled to see Underwood at the game, some couldn’t help but comment on her appearance.

Critics surfaced, with a few suggesting that she looked unrecognizable and speculating about possible changes to her appearance. One user was quick to point out, “She has done way too much to her face. Do t look the same [sic].”

A second user stated, “Nobody can convince me that’s Carrie Underwood.” One viewer even questioned, “Who’s that blonde girl?” as others speculated it might be a “lookalike.”

Still, loyal fans of the “Before He Cheats” singer were quick to counter the criticism. Praises flooded in, with one fan declaring, “Carrie Underwood = IDOL QUEEN 😍.” Another commented, “Carrie bringing the energy 🔥” while someone else added, “QUEEN CARRIE 👑👏🏼.”

While Underwood’s surprise appearance at the NFL game sparked some mixed reactions, the singer has been open about her journey with her looks, particularly her dental adjustments.

In a past interview with Women’s Health, Underwood shared that her journey with braces began in her teens but didn’t end there. Like many, she admitted to neglecting her retainer, which led to some shifting in her teeth over time.

Determined to address the change, Carrie Underwood eventually revisited the orthodontist as an adult. “I had one tooth that was driving me crazy,” she explained to the magazine, adding, “It’s such a little thing, but it’s only gonna get worse, so let’s fix it now.”

When it comes to self-care, Underwood prioritizes consistency. She’s mindful of what she drinks, and eats, and how she stays active, recognizing these as essential to her overall well-being.

In her approach to fitness, Underwood doesn’t claim perfection. She once admitted she’s not the best at warmups and cool-downs. Still, she makes an effort to stick to her routine — even if that includes a bit of caffeine.

While keeping self-care in focus, Underwood is also reaching new milestones professionally. She recently stepped in as a judge on “American Idol,” taking over for Katy Perry and embracing the exciting path ahead. However, the change hasn’t been warmly received by all viewers, with some expressing disappointment over the switch.

Netizens voiced concerns over the show’s lack of diversity in musical genres represented by the judges. One viewer commented, “I don’t think Carrie is a good choice. We already have a country judge. So now we have two country and one contemporary? No pop genre judge.”

Another shared a similar concern, “I wish they would have replaced Katy with another pop singer, too much country in the judging.” Echoing this, a netizen pointed out the need for artists from another genre “to balance out” the judges.

Frustration grew, with one critic demanding, “Pop act please someone relevant 🙄 Carrie just isn’t adding anything [sic].”

However, some fans were thrilled about Underwood stepping into the role alongside Bryan and Richie. One supporter praised Underwood’s talent and expressed excitement about seeing her mentor contestants alongside other judges.

Another agreed,“Katy was okay but I’m so glad Carrie Underwood is the replacement. Somebody who knows real talent!”

Still, not all are convinced by the change. “No one can replace Katie [sic] Perry. Especially NOT Carrie Underwood. Won’t be watching anymore- so disappointing [sic],” one dissatisfied viewer expressed. Another simply wrote that Underwood was a “Bad replacement” for Perry.

Despite some criticism, others see Underwood’s experience as a valuable addition. One fan noted that while they appreciated Perry’s lively presence, having a former winner as a judge is a “good thing.”

At the beginning of August, it was announced that Underwood would be the new judge of the show, which launched her music career 20 years ago.

Underwood auditioned as a contestant in 2004 and emerged as the show’s winner the following year. “Today I am now one of those judges searching for someone who wants to BE AN IDOL [sic]!” she shared on her Instagram page.

Amid mixed reactions from fans, Underwood shared her thoughts on returning to the show. “It feels like going home,” she said, adding that many of the people who worked on the show years ago are still part of the team today.

Underwood also spoke about her connection to the show. “It’s part of me that’s part of my history, so hopefully I can just bring that into my advice for the people that are standing in front of us,” Underwood said.

Reflecting on how her experience as both a contestant and a star will shape her role as a judge, Underwood believes she can offer her unique views to the contestants. “I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help and kind of offer a different viewpoint,” she explained.

However, Underwood acknowledged one challenge she’d be facing, revealing, “I can’t lie. I just can’t. You can tell.” She assured fans that while she intends to be truthful, she will strive to be constructive and encouraging in her feedback.