Introduction
Carrie Underwood: Juggling Stardom and the Sweet Demands of Motherhood
Carrie Underwood, the powerhouse vocalist who rose to fame as an American Idol champion, returned to the show as a judge in 2025. While fans celebrated her homecoming to the program that launched her career, her two young sons had a rather different take on her new gig. This endearing story offers a glimpse into the relatable challenges of a working parent, even for a global superstar.
A Mother’s Balancing Act
Underwood, married to former NHL player Mike Fisher, is a devoted mother to Isaiah (born 2015) and Jacob (born 2019). Her return to American Idol meant extended stays in Los Angeles, a significant departure from their family routine in Nashville. As she revealed in a late 2024 interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, her sons weren’t shy about expressing their displeasure.
“My children are so upset with me!” she chuckled, recalling their innocent confusion. “They were perplexed as to why I was required to go to work, and they kept asking me, ‘Mom, why can’t you just stay at home and sing to us?'”
Five-year-old Jacob, in particular, would pout and insist she sing their favorite songs at home instead of for a television audience. Isaiah, while a bit more understanding, still posed heartwarming questions like, “Mom, are you helping people sing as well as you are?” When she’d confirm, his response was always, “But we want you to sing here.”
Bedtime Ballads and Backstage Serenades
The demands of a live television show meant missing out on bedtime stories and impromptu living room concerts. Underwood’s sons, accustomed to her singing lullabies or playful renditions of her hits, didn’t hesitate to voice their feelings.
During a press junket for American Idol‘s 23rd season, Underwood shared another delightful anecdote. Jacob once FaceTimed her from Los Angeles, demanding she sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the spot. “I was in my dressing room, in the midst of my preparations for a live performance, when I noticed Jacob on my phone,” she recounted with a smile. “He was telling me, ‘Mom, sing it now!'” As she sang, Isaiah chimed in with a request for “Baby Shark.” Imagine a Grammy-winning artist, surrounded by makeup artists, trying to suppress laughter while singing “doo doo doo doo doo doo”!
Embracing the “Mommy” Role
Underwood’s sons are a grounding force in her life. She shared in an interview that they “consider me to be nothing more than a mother and they want me to be there for the seemingly insignificant things such as singing them to sleep or cheering them on at their soccer games.” This perspective inspired her intimate 2018 album, Cry Pretty, which explored the joys and challenges of motherhood.
To help her children understand her American Idol role, Underwood creatively involved them. She’d talk about the contestants as “friends who love to sing, just like Mommy.” She even brought Isaiah to set during a rehearsal, where he was captivated by the lights and microphones. He later suggested she bring the entire stage home so he and Jacob could have their own American Idol! Underwood is even considering a karaoke machine to keep their home-grown talent show dreams alive.
The Heart of a Working Parent
Underwood openly acknowledges the guilt many working parents face. “It’s hard when they look at you with those big eyes and say, ‘Stay home, mommy,'” she shared on Good Morning America. “However, I also want them to know that I am working toward my own aspirations while simultaneously assisting others in pursuing their own.”
Throughout the American Idol season, Underwood found ways to bridge the distance. She’d record herself singing their favorite songs and send the videos to Fisher to play at bedtime. Nightly phone calls often turned into mini singalongs, with the consistent request: “Sing for us.”
Carrie Underwood’s journey on American Idol in 2025 wasn’t just about mentorship or reliving her past success. It was about beautifully balancing her passion for music with her unwavering commitment to her family. Her sons’ sweet, honest complaints serve as a heartwarming reminder that even global icons face the same relatable challenges as any other parent, and that the most important stage of all is often right at home.