Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Checotah, Oklahoma. The daughter of a paper mill worker and an elementary school teacher, she grew up on a cattle farm with her two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie. Carrie began singing in her church choir when she was only 3 years old. When she was 13, she made her first studio recording, and performed in festivals in a number of states while trying to get a singing career off the ground. A native of Checotah, Oklahoma, Carrie Underwood had an all-American upbringing, singing in her church choir, playing softball and getting good grades in school. But while studying mass communications at Northeastern State University, this pretty sorority girl decided to try out for the fourth edition of American Idol -- and went all the way to the top. Carrie Underwood became the fourth American Idol winner in May of 2005, then released a new single, "Inside Your Heaven," which went straight to No. 1. She has an album in the works, due out in November of 2005. Carrie Underwood's sweet personality and unpretentious disposition would have made her a winner no matter what. But her good looks and prodigious vocal talent have put her over the top in our scorebooks.