CARRIE UNDERWOOD ROCKS ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ IN SURPRISE POWER COLLAB 🎤🔥
Carrie Underwood delivered a standout moment on American Idol, teaming up with rock legend Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens for a high-energy performance of “Rebel Yell.”
The genre-crossing performance brought a completely different side of Carrie to the stage, earning huge reactions from both the crowd and fellow judges.
👇 Watch the full performance and see the moment everyone is talking about
Carrie Underwood brought two Idols together during American Idol‘s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on Monday (Apr. 13.)
She brought out legendary rocker Billy Idol for a performance of “Rebel Yell” during the show, trading verses — and rafter-raising howls — with the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Watch Carrie Underwood Sing With Billy Idol on American Idol
Underwood came out to sing solo, but there was a clue that Idol was going to be the surprise guest. Legendary guitarist Steve Stevens, who played on Idol’s original Rebel Yell album and several other studio projects, was onstage performing with her.
Stevens — who’s also known for playing lead guitar on the Top Gun theme — gave a rollicking guitar solo during the performance.
But of course, the biggest shock of the performance was when Idol himself walked onstage. The singer released “Rebel Yell” as a single for the first time in 1984, but it was a 1985 re-release that became the canonic hit fans still scream along to today.
Who’s Getting Inducted Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2026?
Idol‘s Rock Hall night was a celebration of the new class of inductees, who were revealed on Monday.
Billy Idol is one of eight performers headed into the Hall in 2026.
The Top 11 American Idol contestants were tasked with singing musical performances honoring three of the inductees — Idol, Iron Maiden and Oasis — during Monday night’s episode.
Why Did Carrie Underwood Sing a Rock Song on American Idol?
Underwood may be a country superstar, but it’s no secret that she’s also a huge fan of classic rock.
Back in 2019, she enlisted Joan Jett for a surprise collaboration at CMA Fest. They sang “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” “Bad Reputation” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
She’s also teamed up with Guns ‘N’ Roses on several occasions, including opening for the legendary group in the summer of 2023.
What Happened During the Latest Episode of American Idol?
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame week whittled the remaining American Idol contestants down from 11 to 9. Two were eliminated at the end of the episode.
Every ‘American Idol’ Winner Ranked: Least To Most Memorable
Be honest, do you remember who won American Idol last year? He’s at No. 16 on this list of American Idol winners, ranked least to most memorable.
We’ve sorted each of the show’s 23 champions in order of who is most famous to country fans. No. 1 may be predictable but a thorough scroll may trigger voting memories from seasons past, plus an update on who is still active in music today.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
23: Caleb Johnson – Season 13
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23: Caleb Johnson – Season 13
Not only is Caleb Johnson the least memorable of all American Idol winners, Season 13 is perhaps the least memorable of all seasons. Take a look at the finalists. We bet the only one you’ll recall is CJ Harris, who died from a heart attack in 2023.
22: Trent Harmon – Season 15
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22: Trent Harmon – Season 15
Season 15 was the final season of American Idol on Fox and the network went out with a whimper. Trent Harmon was the country music favorite. He bested La’Porsha Renae, who was probably the most talented of the finalists but she lacked consistency.
In 2016, Harmon actually notched a pair of Top 40 country hits but disappeared soon after.
21: Abi Carter – Season 22
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21: Abi Carter – Season 22
Pop singer Abi Carter hasn’t found her lane quite yet but it may be too soon to judge. She won American Idol in 2024 and is currently independent. Like so many recent winners — and almost every winner on The Voice — most of her supporters lost track of her after the finale.
20: Nick Fradiani – Season 14
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20: Nick Fradiani – Season 14
Nick Fradiani’s music career didn’t produce much in the years after American Idol but he’s done quite well in theater. The singer rates a little higher than a few others on this list because he was able to return to the show the next season as a mentor, giving him some bonus TV time.
19: Maddie Poppe – Season 16
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19: Maddie Poppe – Season 16
Maddie Poppe notched a few modest hits after winning American Idol but her relationship with follow Idol finalist Caleb Lee Hutchinson makes her a more memorable winner than some others. At last check, she continues to tour and make music.
18: Lee DeWyze – Season 9
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18: Lee DeWyze – Season 9
It’s been more than 15 years since Lee DeWyze won American Idol and he continues to work hard at making music. He’s kind of the epitome of a working musician. Small tours and single drops come with regularity and he has a loyal group of fans to support him. The rocker never quit chasing his dream through the ups and downs of his career.
17: Noah Thompson – Season 20
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17: Noah Thompson – Season 20
If Noah Thompson hadn’t won American Idol so recently (2022) then he might be first on this list. We won’t hate on him however. The Kentuckian was very young when America voted for him and in recent years he’s continued to chase music, often working with A-level country music songwriters. On Instagram, he’s been quiet since late 2025.
16: Jamal Roberts – Season 23
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16: Jamal Roberts – Season 23
Jamal Robert is the most recent American Idol winner (2025) but it took a Google search to remember that. The former PE coach actually had a big Gospel hit and even notched a Grammy nomination.
15: Kris Allen – Season 8
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15: Kris Allen – Season 8
The first 10 American Idol winners were all major celebrities in ways the last 10 will likely never know. Ratings for those early seasons were huge, so even vanilla pop-rockers would draw a crowd in every room they entered.
Often the runners-up became more famous. Adam Lambert finished second to Allen in Season 8, and few would argue he’s not the most famous of the finalists.
Allen continued making music for years after winning in 2009. In 2021, he toured with the next artist on this list …
14: David Cook – Season 7
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14: David Cook – Season 7
David Cook has continued to make music after winning American Idol in 2008. The rocker also dabbled in theater. Season 7 is another that’s remarkably forgettable. David Archuleta was runner-up and Syesha Mercado finished third.
13: Just Sam – Season 18
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13: Just Sam – Season 18
Just Sam is the first of several artists on this list to be remembered for the wrong reasons. Season 18 of American Idol was the COVID season but their tale of triumph was an inspiration throughout the at-home performances.
Just Sam was busking in New York City before Idol, and wasn’t able to parlay the win into much success so they went back to busking between hospitalizations for undisclosed reasons.
Some good news came Just Sam’s way in 2025 when they had a baby.
12: Candice Glover – Season 12
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12: Candice Glover – Season 12
Candice Glover has scored roles in a few TV series and movies since winning American Idol in 2013. She’s also gotten into theater and in 2026 revealed that she wrote a play. Glover is most active on Facebook.
11: Iam Tongi – Season 21
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11: Iam Tongi – Season 21
Iam Tongi’s background and physical presence make him an immediately identifiable character even if he’s not found music success since winning American Idol in 2023.
10: Chayce Beckham – Season 19
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10: Chayce Beckham – Season 19
Chayce Beckham ended a long American Idol drought when, in 2024, his song “23” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Until then, it had been 12 years since an Idol winner scored a chart-topping hit of any kind (Phillip Phillips, “Home”).
9: Phillip Phillips – Season 11
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9: Phillip Phillips – Season 11
“Home” is the best-selling coronation song in American Idol history and the series’ biggest hit. Give the 2012 winner some credit. He’s maintained a nice commercial career in the 14 years that followed his victory, including several more Top 20 Hot AC hits and another No. 1 with “Gone, Gone, Gone.”
8: Jordin Sparks – Season 6
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8: Jordin Sparks – Season 6
Jordin Sparks was just 17 years old when she won American Idol in 2007, which makes her massive success afterward all the more improbable. She continues to release relevant pop and R&B music, even if she’s not repeated the success of songs like “No Air.”
7: Laine Hardy – Season 17
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7: Laine Hardy – Season 17
Laine Hardy’s 2022 arrest on charges he bugged his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room aren’t likely to be forgotten. It was a strange set of circumstances that undermined a promising young country music career.
6: Fantasia Barrino – Season 3
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6: Fantasia Barrino – Season 3
Hip-hop and R&B singer Fantasia was a force for over a decade after her Season 3 American Idol win and she still turns up on big stages to sing her own songs or honor legends. Add to her discography an impressive (if slim) acting career and you’ve got reason to put her at No. 6 on our list of most memorable winners.
5: Taylor Hicks – Season 5
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5: Taylor Hicks – Season 5
Taylor Hicks won an impressive Season 5 of American Idol that also featured Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee and Kellie Pickler. His premature gray hair (the singer wasn’t even 30 years old) made him easy to remember and he’s not done anything to change that in the two decades since.
Other American Idol winners have been more successful but Hicks has done enough to keep him and his silver top in the spotlight.
4: Scotty McCreery – Season 10
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4: Scotty McCreery – Season 10
After Scotty McCreery’s win in 2011, the show lost some luster. The North Carolina teen is hardly to blame however. His innocence captivated America and after a few years and some personal growth he was able to find tangible country success.
Fifteen years later he’s a certified hitmaker, arguably one of the Top 5 most successful AI winners of all time.
3: Ruben Studdard – Season 2
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3: Ruben Studdard – Season 2
Season 2 ratings for American Idol were almost unthinkable and Ruben Studdard was at the center of it with his buddy Clay Aiken. This is the most popular pair of finalists the show has ever produced. Either could walk into any room in America and start signing autographs.
2: Kelly Clarkson – Season 1
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2: Kelly Clarkson – Season 1
OK, so Kelly Clarkson has pop hits and she’s hosted or coached two television shows since winning American Idol. We’re a country music website however, so …
1: Carrie Underwood – Season 4
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1: Carrie Underwood – Season 4
Carrie Underwood is the most memorable American Idol winner of them all. We’ll let the math nerds calculate who’s most successful but there’s simply not another artist as big in his or her genre post-Idol as Underwood is in country. This is arguably the top female country vocalist of the 21st century.
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