Carrie Underwood's life changed forever once she was crowned the winner of American Idol.

After one mega-fan shared a commemorative video in honor of the big win on Monday (May 25), the chart-topper, 37, responded to the Twitter post with nothing but sweet sincerity. "WOW, I cannot believe it’s been 15 years since my @americanidol win!!!" she wrote. "It's been an incredible ride and I couldn’t have made it through without all of you guys!! THANK YOU so much for this sweet video!!"

Back in 2004, the aspiring singer and her mother drove from Checotah, Oklahoma to St. Louis, Missouri for a ticket to Hollywood. Wearing a simple pink top and blue denim jeans, Underwood was just 21-years-old when she auditioned and hadn’t even been on a plane. "I feel a little scared ... nervous," her mother giddily told the camera crew. "I just think she's beautiful and I think she's got the voice, so I hope she goes on, but who knows? I have faith in her."

Afterward, Underwood nervously walked into the audition room and decided to sing a rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." She'd go on to improve her vocals in the years to come, but for her initial showing, the future star walked away from her audition with stamps of approval from both Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. Resident nice judge Paula Abdul missed out on the action. "That was very good, Carrie," Cowell complimented Underwood, before the contestant told Jackson that her favorite singer was Martina McBride.

Local News

Q 101.9 · SA's Best Variety of the 80's, 90's, and Today