Carrie Underwood turns heads with 10 unforgettable red carpet and stage looks

Carrie Underwood has never been afraid of a red carpet moment, and this vivid orange gown at the 2015 CMA Awards still feels like one of those looks made to stop people mid-scroll. The color was loud in the best way, the shape was pure award-show glamour, and the whole thing had country superstar written all over it.

For NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration event in Nashville, Underwood went full drama in a black lace gown with a sweeping train. It was elegant, a little moody and exactly the kind of look that belongs at a night honoring country music history.

Underwood’s 2023 CMT Music Awards look brought the sparkle cannon straight to Austin. The high-neck silver mini had a futuristic country-pop feel, giving her the kind of sharp, stage-ready polish that has become part of her signature.

At the 2022 CMA Awards, Underwood arrived with Mike Fisher in a flowing blue gown that gave the red carpet a softer kind of drama. The sweeping fabric, off-the-shoulder detail and icy color made it one of her prettiest awards-show entrances.

Underwood looked every inch the country music star at the 2018 CMT Music Awards in a gold embellished mini dress. The look had the sparkle, the legs and the confidence, which is basically the Carrie Underwood red carpet formula working exactly as designed.

The 2022 CMT Music Awards gave Underwood another strong mini-dress moment, this time in purple sparkle. It was sleek, bright and polished without losing the fun, which is where she tends to do her best red carpet work.

Underwood’s 2016 CMT Music Awards performance look leaned darker and more theatrical, with black lace, dramatic texture and serious stage presence. It was not trying to be sweet. It was trying to own the room, and it did.

During her Denim and Rhinestones Tour stop in Nashville, Underwood took the theme and turned it all the way up. The jeweled top, fringe, denim shorts and boots made the look feel built for a country arena show, not just another concert outfit.

Underwood’s Denim & Rhinestones tour look in Milwaukee had a little space-cowgirl energy, and honestly, that is a compliment. The pastel sparkle, fringe and shiny boots gave the stage outfit movement, personality and plenty of camera appeal.

This 2012 concert look captures the version of Carrie Underwood fans have loved for years: big voice, big stage and a little bit of sparkle. The purple-and-black dress kept the focus on the performance while still giving the photo enough shine to feel memorable.