IN a resurfaced video of her American Idol audition, Carrie Underwood looks totally different.

More than 20 years ago, Carrie, now 42, auditioned for the hit singing competition.

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Carrie Underwood auditioned for American Idol in mid-2004, with the audition shown on screens the following yearCredit: FOX11
 

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She looked so young in the resurfaced videoCredit: FOX11
 

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She wowed judges and wound up winning the showCredit: FOX11
 

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Carrie is returning as a judge on American Idol for a second season tonightCredit: Getty
The country music singer, who won the show in 2005 before becoming a judge on American Idol in 2025.

In her audition for the show, Carrie performed the song I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt.

She auditioned in mid-2004 and rocked a bright pink T-shirt with a pair of blue low-rise jeans.

Carrie’s blond hair was curly, and she had a huge grin on her face before and after her audition.Read More about Carrie

With the judges instantly impressed, Randy Jackson noted her audition was “very good”.

Carrie has since been appointed the role of judge on the hit show, with the singer experiencing a full-circle moment last year when she sat on the judging panel for the first time.

She also opened up about the show and what it means to her last year.

Breaking down in tears over her “insane” time on the show, Carrie admitted she was “emotional” as she choked back tears.

“I think my journey on American Idol all the time, because it’s so grand, it’s so unbelievable,” Carrie said in the clip.

She added: “To go from somebody who was going to school, trying to figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life,” before saying how it was on a “whim” to appear on the show.

Carrie then reiterated how her time on the show was “insane”.

“If I hadn’t made that one decision in my life, my life would be completely different.

“So it’s just a blessed journey I’ve been on,” she concluded.

The all-new season of American Idol airs tonight (January 26) on ABC.

With a whole new format, the show is shaking up auditions, Hollywood Week, and how fans get to vote.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host, and the judging panel will comprise of Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.

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This year will see there be one audition location only.

And not only this, but the golden ticket leads to Nashville, not Hollywood.

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She won the show in 2005Credit: Getty
 

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She began judging on the show in 2025Credit: Getty