Remember those wide-eyed hopefuls facing the daunting judges’ table on American Idol? You knew some possessed that “it” factor, a spark that transcended vocal talent.
Carrie Underwood, the reigning queen of the show’s early days, knows that magic intimately. She’s seen countless contestants come and go, but which qualities propelled her and others to superstardom?
Defining the Intangible: Carrie Underwood’s Take on the “It” Factor
Carrie Underwood knows the “it” factor that an “American Idol” hopeful possesses that makes them a potential winner. The “Idol” winner shares what the judges are looking for in season 23 — she should know, since Simon Cowell said she had “it” way back in season 4. Carrie Underwood Got a ‘Confidence Booster’ From Simon Cowell
Play In a May 1 “Idol to Icon” video, Underwood revisited her Top 10 performance on “American Idol” season 4. She watched a clip of the performance and the judges’ comments afterwards. Cowell told her at the time, “I do get a hard time sometimes for being critical, but I think some of the performances I’ve seen tonight, honestly, I’ve seen in karaoke bars across England, America … and yet, you have something different.” He explained, “And that’s what you look for, which is, that ‘it’ factor. And that’s what it’s all about.”
Underwood noted, “It was definitely a confidence booster hearing Simon say that I did well and my vocals were good, and I had the ‘it’ factor.” She pointed out how message boards at the time allowed people to be critical of her performance. “When you’re in your early 20s, you’re looking at everything … seeing that, remembering the negative stuff, but then hearing Simon say positive things was like, ‘Okay, maybe I’m doing something right.’”
‘American Idol’ Winners Have an ‘It Factor’
Underwood was asked what the “it” factor is that they’re looking for this season as judges. It wasn’t easy for her to put into words, but she said they know an “American Idol” winner when they see them.
“The ‘it’ factor that I think we are looking for as judges is hard to define,” she shared. “You know, you can have somebody get up on stage that just has an incredible vocal instrument and it’s like ‘What is missing?’” She continued, “And then later you’re like, ‘What did she sing, what did he sing? Why don’t I remember?’” “But then there’s other people that might get up there and maybe they didn’t have the best vocals, but there’s something about them that makes you want to listen, makes you want to watch,” Underwood explained.
The country star noted, “And when all those things come together and they have that ‘it’ factor and they have that voice, that’s when the magic can really happen.” She added, “It’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.”
Carrie Underwood’s Personal Experience with the “It” Factor
As the top 14 contestants on season 23 of “American Idol” prepare for the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame episode, knowing viewers’ votes will send two of them home, judge Carrie Underwood remembers her own Top 12 episode with fondness and fear. On April 24, 2025, as part of her “Idol to Icon” web series, the country superstar reviewed her performance from the same week of competition back in 2005, when she sang Heart’s “Alone.”
She did so well that then-judge Simon Cowell made the now-infamous prediction that she’d not only win the competition, but “sell more records than any other previous Idol.” Although his feedback was thrilling to hear, Underwood admitted she felt like she suddenly had “a target on my back.”
Carrie Underwood Thought ‘Now Everybody’s Gonna Hate Me’ After Simon Cowell’s Prediction
Underwood blew away the judges with her performance of “Alone,” with Randy Jackson telling her it was “one of your best performances yet” and Paula Abdul applauding her “taking risks.” Cowell, who rarely doled out compliments, told Underwood, “You know, you’re not just the girl to beat. You’re the person to beat. I will make a prediction. Not only will you win this show, you will sell more records than any other previous Idol.”
Reflecting on that moment, Underwood paused the video and said, “What an incredible prediction — from me, you know, thinking ‘I’m gonna sing this song, oh my gosh, you know, they’re probably gonna hate it, but I’m gonna do it anyway,’ and then to get that reaction.” She continued, “At the time, I thought, ‘This is amazing,’ and then about five seconds later, I thought, ‘I have a target on my back. Now everybody’s gonna hate me.’ Just because that’s a such a bold tip me, you told me I was going to win the show. I remember thinking people might not like me after that, and being really nervous.”
Of course, Underwood did go on to win the show and sell more records than any “Idol” in history. When a producer of the “Idol to Icon” web series asked how it feels knowing that, she replied diplomatically.
“I feel like there’s so many incredible artists that have come from this show, winners and non-winners,” she said. “I mean, this is a life changer for so many of us, and we’re still … going! And that’s, you know, why we’re we’re here. Now, I would love to, at the end of this, have a winner that you know beats us all you know, in in sales and numbers. That would be absolutely incredible to be a part of that for somebody else.”
Carrie Underwood Says Her ‘Alone’ Performance Proves How Important Song Choice is for Contestants
Disney Carrie Underwood on American Idol Re-watching her performance of “Alone,” Underwood saw her 21-year-old self talk about how she decided to break out of her country music shell and do a rock song instead. Reflecting on that brave decision, Underwood paused the video and said, “Song choice is so difficult when you are doing something like this, because just as much as people are listening to you sing it, they’re thinking about the original song. And I remember week to week, you know, we would get critiqued, and it would be like, ‘Oh, you know, you’re playing it so safe. You’re being so safe with your choices.’ And it’s like, ‘Well, does that matter if I do a good job?’” “And this week,” Underwood recalled, “I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just gonna throw caution to the wind. And I think I even remember, like, writing in my journal how much they were not gonna like me singing this song and being not so much worried. I was like, ‘They’re gonna hate it, (but) whatever. I really want to do it. So, okay, let’s go.’ Never know what’s gonna happen. Just gotta do the best you can.”
A Confidence Booster from Simon Cowell: Revisiting Carrie’s Top 10 Performance
Carrie Underwood revisited her Top 10 performance on “American Idol” season 4 in a May 1 “Idol to Icon” video. She watched a clip of the performance and the judges’ comments afterwards.
Cowell told her at the time, “I do get a hard time sometimes for being critical, but I think some of the performances I’ve seen tonight, honestly, I’ve seen in karaoke bars across England, America … and yet, you have something different.”
He explained, “And that’s what you look for, which is, that ‘it’ factor. And that’s what it’s all about.”
Underwood noted, “It was definitely a confidence booster hearing Simon say that I did well and my vocals were good, and I had the ‘it’ factor.”
She pointed out how message boards at the time allowed people to be critical of her performance.
“When you’re in your early 20s, you’re looking at everything … seeing that, remembering the negative stuff, but then hearing Simon say positive things was like, ‘Okay, maybe I’m doing something right.'”
The Pressure of Expectations: Carrie’s Reaction to Simon’s Prediction
Underwood was asked what the “it” factor is that they’re looking for this season as judges.
It wasn’t easy for her to put into words, but she said they know an “American Idol” winner when they see them.
“The ‘it’ factor that I think we are looking for as judges is hard to define,” she shared.
“You know, you can have somebody get up on stage that just has an incredible vocal instrument and it’s like ‘What is missing?'”
“And then later you’re like, ‘What did she sing, what did he sing? Why don’t I remember?'”
“But then there’s other people that might get up there and maybe they didn’t have the best vocals, but there’s something about them that makes you want to listen, makes you want to watch,” Underwood explained.
The country star noted, “And when all those things come together and they have that ‘it’ factor and they have that voice, that’s when the magic can really happen.”
She added, “It’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.”
The Importance of Song Choice in “American Idol”
Carrie’s Brave Decision to Sing “Alone” and Its Implications for Contestants
Carrie Underwood remembers her own Top 12 episode with fondness and fear.
As part of her “Idol to Icon” web series, the country superstar reviewed her performance from the same week of competition back in 2005, when she sang Heart’s “Alone.”
She did so well that then-judge Simon Cowell made the now-infamous prediction that she’d not only win the competition, but “sell more records than any other previous Idol.”
Although his feedback was thrilling to hear, Underwood admitted she felt like she suddenly had “a target on my back.”
Reflecting on that moment, Underwood paused the video and said, “What an incredible prediction — from me, you know, thinking ‘I’m gonna sing this song, oh my gosh, you know, they’re probably gonna hate it, but I’m gonna do it anyway,’ and then to get that reaction.”
“At the time, I thought, ‘This is amazing,’ and then about five seconds later, I thought, ‘I have a target on my back. Just because that’s a such a bold tip me, you told me I was going to win the show.”
“I remember thinking people might not like me after that, and being really nervous.”
The Delicate Balance Between Originality and Familiarity
Re-watching her performance of “Alone,” Underwood saw her 21-year-old self talk about how she decided to break out of her country music shell and do a rock song instead.
Reflecting on that brave decision, Underwood paused the video and said, “Song choice is so difficult when you are doing something like this, because just as much as people are listening to you sing it, they’re thinking about the original song.”
“And I remember week to week, you know, we would get critiqued, and it would be like, ‘Oh, you know, you’re playing it so safe. You’re being so safe with your choices.’ And it’s like, ‘Well, does that matter if I do a good job?'”
“And this week,” Underwood recalled, “I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just gonna throw caution to the wind. And I think I even remember, like, writing in my journal how much they were not gonna like me singing this song and being not so much worried.”
“I was like, ‘They’re gonna hate it, (but) whatever. I really want to do it. So, okay, let’s go.’ Never know what’s gonna happen. Just gotta do the best you can.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Carrie Underwood’s insightful reflections on the ‘It’ factor of ‘American Idol’ winners shed light on the complex dynamics that contribute to a contestant’s success. The article highlighted the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and a strong connection with the audience, which Underwood attributed to her own winning formula. Additionally, the discussion emphasized the role of mentorship and the guidance provided by judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul in shaping Underwood’s career. By examining the factors that set apart successful contestants, the article underscores the significance of talent, hard work, and the right support system in achieving stardom.
The implications of this topic extend beyond the realm of reality TV, as they offer valuable lessons for individuals pursuing creative careers or seeking to overcome obstacles in their personal or professional lives. Underwood’s words of wisdom serve as a reminder that success is often a combination of innate talent, dedication, and a willingness to take risks. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the principles outlined in this article will remain relevant, providing a foundation for aspiring artists to build upon.
As we reflect on Carrie Underwood’s remarkable career and the factors that contributed to her success, one thing becomes clear: the key to achieving greatness lies in embracing our authenticity, staying true to ourselves, and being willing to take that first step into the unknown. With Underwood’s words of wisdom echoing in our minds, we are reminded that the ‘It’ factor is not something we can manufacture; it’s a spark within us, waiting to be fanned into a flame.