With just one photograph, Carrie Underwood didn’t just post a memory—she reawakened a fairytale. Fans across the globe found themselves swept into a wave of emotions as they glimpsed a softer, younger Carrie—eyes full of wonder, heart full of music. It wasn’t just a photo. It was the first page of a royal legend retold.

Carrie Underwood posted a throwback photo showing her as an “American Idol” contestant, and it’s generating excitement among fans.

“‘Then’ as a contestant vs. ‘Now’ as a judge 20 years later!  Counting down the days as we’re one month away from the March 9 season premiere of” American Idol, Underwood wrote on her X page on February 9. She shared a throwback photo alongside a current picture.

Fans expressed excitement for the new season in Underwood’s comment thread. “Watched you then and look forward to watching you now!” wrote one fan.

In 2005, Underwood won the 4th season of “American Idol.” She returns as a judge on March 9, 2025.

Fans Reminisced About Watching Carrie Underwood on ‘American Idol’ Years Ago

GettyCarrie Underwood performs at Donald Trump 2025 inauguration
Many fans wrote on Underwood’s comment thread that they watched her original audition.

“I’ll never forget this! After I saw your audition on TV, I turned to my mom and said ‘Oh she’s going to win the whole thing!’” wrote one person.

“Yay!! I’ll be watching American Idol again!” wrote another.

“It’s great to see you on American Idol again Carrie, they have been waiting 20 years to get you back on the show and this is how they decided to do it !!!! You made ‘American Idol’ popular!!” wrote another fan.

Carrie Underwood Admitted She Was Nervous During Her ‘American Idol’ Audition

Underwood’s original “American Idol” audition is still available on YouTube.

“Carrie Underwood, that’s my daughter. I’m a little nervous. I just think she’s beautiful, and I know she has a voice,” her mom said

“I have faith in her.”

The video showed Underwood pacing around nervously.

When she was brought in to face the judges, she told Randy Jackson that she was nervous because Simon Cowell was “scary.”

“No, I’m not,” Cowell said. Jackson said that Cowell was weird, but Underwood disagreed with that. She told the judges she was 21 years old and from Oklahoma. She told the judges she played quarterback for her school’s football team.

Cowell joked that no one would want to tackle her.

“That was very good,” Cowell told her after she sang for them. Jackson said she had a great voice. She said she admired Martina McBride.

“You did good,” Cowell told her. Underwood then told the judges she had “the ability to cluck like a chicken.”

“I think you’re very good,” Cowell said. “I am surprised we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition.”

Jackson told her she had it “vocally” but should work on her stage presence. “Welcome to Hollywood, girl,” he said.