Is there a more nostalgic holiday than New Year’s Eve? One year is fading as another emerges, offering a fresh slate and shiny new possibilities. For more than 50 years, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve has allowed viewers to savor one year while celebrating another, all with a killer soundtrack.

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This year was no different. In fact, some would argue it was even better as the beloved special took on an especially nostalgic bent this year. And Carrie Underwood really delivered tonight. Twenty years after her momentous American Idol victory, the three-time Grammy Award winner took fans for a ride with a medley of her greatest hits.

Carrie Underwood Sings Medley of Greatest Hits

Twenty years ago, Carrie Underwood was a small-town Oklahoma girl with crimped hair and big dreams. American Idol judges and viewers recognized her star power instantly, and Underwood became the singing reality competition show’s fourth-ever winner.

That was only the start of the “Before He Cheats” singer’ illustrious career. She is now the highest-certified female country artist of all time, with too many hits to count. Underwood treated viewers to a medley of those hits Tuesday (Dec. 31) during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

THE QUEEN CARRIE UNDERWOOD #RockinEve #ABC #CarrieUnderwood #CountdownCTW2025 #HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/2lXzQ7s39K

— heartache (@leclairous) January 1, 2025

Underwood performed quite a few fan favorites on New Year’s Eve, starting off with “Church Bells”. Her medley of songs also included spectacular performances of “Pink Champagne” and “Before He Cheats”. We have to admit, that giant champagne glass was pretty iconic.

The American Idol champ took the stage at Times Square for the third time, performing in both 2007 and 2015. This year was extra special, as American Idol host Ryan Seacrest also celebrated 20 years at the helm.

“I have such fun memories of performing on ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ in Times Square in both 2007 and 2015, and I’m so excited to perform just before the ball drops again this year,” the country star said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to celebrate 20 years since winning American Idol by joining Ryan as he hosts his 20th New Year’s Eve in Times Square.”

 

A Look at 2025 For Carrie

Big things are on the horizon for Carrie Underwood in 2025. In addition to continuing her critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency, Reflection, she will return to the show that made her a star. Underwood is bringing her career full circle as she joins Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judging panel. She replaces Katy Perry, who left in May after seven seasons.