When she enrolled as a broadcast journalism major at Northeastern State University, Underwood had no immediate plans of pursuing a full-time vocal career, despite the fact that her sorority sisters would pester her to belt out the occasional tune. Her first taste of performing for a crowd came during a local talent show during college, and Underwood reports that although she often placed in such competitions, she never won. The singer auditioned for season four of American Idol on a whim, after traveling for hours to Missouri to sing for Simon and Co. Hollywood was such a new concept for Underwood that when host Ryan Seacrest asked her if she had seen any stars during her trip, she replied that the sky was too dark out. On the heels of her Idol success, Underwood managed to finish her degree work, and complete a summer concert tour opening for Kenny Chesney, in between accepting a 2005 Teen Choice Award for choice female reality star and being named PETA's World's Sexiest Vegetarian in 2005. In November 2007, Underwood took home the American Music Awards for Best Female Country Artist and Best Country Album. This rising star earned a 2008 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her popular song "Before He Cheats."