Twenty years after winning American Idol, Carrie Underwood is still proving why millions of fans fell in love with her — not just for her voice, but for who she is when the cameras aren’t rolling. Two American Idol season 24 top 11 contestants recently revealed that Underwood surprised them with personal gifts, and the details are absolutely heartwarming.
Underwood isn’t just a judge of the competition, but she’s been a mentor and a helpful voice for the contestants all season long, even if her constructive criticism has sometimes caused a stir.
Carrie Underwood’s Tiffany & Co. Surprise Stuns ‘American Idol’ Contestants
Top 11 contestant Hannah Harper shared the news in a Facebook post on April 13, posting a photo of the signature blue Tiffany & Co. box and bag alongside a handwritten card from Underwood herself.
“Didn’t think my first piece of Tiffany & Co. jewelry would come from Carrie Underwood… 😭,” Harper wrote.
“But truly, the part that got me the most was the handwritten note. That meant more than anything. Just her taking the time to do that… it says everything about who she is.”
Harper continued: “Y’all, she’s as down-to-earth and genuine as they come. Just a good, kind human. I love her dearly 🤍 #idol.”
Carrie Underwood’s Handwritten Note Carries a Faith-Filled Blessing
For fans who know how deeply faith guides Underwood’s life, the contents of that handwritten note hit differently.
“From the first time I laid eyes on you — and heard your story [and] your voice, I knew you were special,” Underwood wrote in the note. She called Harper an “inspiration,” adding, “I [cannot] wait to see what God has in store for you [and] I am so blessed to have a front row seat.”
Fellow top 11 contestant Keyla Richardson shared her own gift from Underwood the following day on April 14.
“Miss @carrieunderwood , I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful @tiffanyandco gift 💙✨ Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express,” Richardson wrote via Instagram. “The fact that you took the time to bless someone like that speaks to the incredible woman and class act that you are. American Idol gave us all a gift when it gave us YOU and your legacy continues to inspire every artist who walks through those doors. Grateful beyond measure. God bless you always. 🙏🏾💙 #idol.”
Carrie Underwood’s Honest Judging Drew Boos From the ‘Idol’ Audience
The gifts arrived weeks after Underwood made headlines for getting booed by the American Idol audience during Hollywood Week, which kicked off on February 23 and concluded on March 2.
Underwood saw it coming. Ahead of Hollywood Week, she warned viewers on X: “Spoiler alert… I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience.” She later posted, “Boo me. I don’t care. 😂😜🤪@AmericanIdol.”
In an episode of the American Idol podcast that dropped on April 8, host Danielle Fishel asked Underwood about receiving backlash for her constructive criticism.
“I don’t care,” she quipped. “I can’t lie, I’m a terrible liar. As a fan of the show, if there was ever somebody that kind of had an off night and everybody’s like, ‘Oh my God, that’s so great,’ I’m sitting at home being like, ‘What? Liars!’”
Fellow judge Luke Bryan backed her up. “It’s tough to do as a judge. It takes a lot of confidence in yourself and you don’t want to say something that’s going to tank them in the competition,” Bryan said. “It’s just something that they need to be thinking about if they go forward.”
Underwood added, “They’re obviously talented or they wouldn’t be here right now.”
