Carrie Underwood surprised viewers at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards when she made a surprise appearance on stage to perform a duet with Cody Johnson. Johnson was performing his song “I’m Gonna Love You” when Underwood joined him on stage to sing the second verse. The audience greeted Underwood with applause and cheers as she stepped out in a stunning gown with a statement turquoise necklace and full glam makeup. After completing the verse, Underwood and Johnson sang the chorus together, with Johnson giving Underwood a shoutout during the performance, which was met with cheers from the crowd.
Once the song was finished, Underwood and Johnson took a bow and shared a sweet hug on stage as the crowd gave them a standing ovation. The camera then panned to other shocked stars in the audience, such as Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, who were surprised by the impromptu duet. Underwood’s appearance at the CMA Awards was unexpected, as she was not on the list of performers for the evening and did not walk the red carpet. Her last appearance at the CMAs was in 2022, when she performed a tribute to Loretta Lynn with Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire.
Despite not attending the CMAs recently, Underwood has been keeping busy with various projects. Aside from her duet with Johnson, she recently returned to her American Idol roots to replace judge Katy Perry. The judging panel also includes Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Underwood expressed her approach to judging contestants on the show as being honest, constructive, and kind, as she believes in being part of someone’s story from that moment on. Auditions for the upcoming season of American Idol took place in August, and the season is set to premiere on ABC in March.
In addition to her role on American Idol, Underwood has been focused on her music career. She collaborated with Cody Johnson on the duet “I’m Gonna Love You,” which was released in September. The emotional ballad showcases the powerful vocals of both artists as they sing about the raw emotions of love. Underwood’s return to the music scene with this duet was well-received by fans, who were excited to see her perform at the CMA Awards alongside Johnson.
Overall, Carrie Underwood’s surprise appearance at the 2024 CMA Awards was a highlight of the evening, as she joined Cody Johnson on stage to perform their duet “I’m Gonna Love You.” Her stunning appearance and powerful vocals wowed the audience, and her return to the country music scene was well-received by fans. With her continued success in music and television, Underwood remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, showcasing her talent and versatility as an artist.
