Carrie Underwood Wiki: 5 Facts To Know About CMA Award Host

"American Idol" winner, turned country superstar, Carrie Underwood took the world by storm from the second she hit the Idol stage. The Oklahoma born singer/ songwriter has become one of the most successful mainstream artists since her appearance on the competition show in 2005. She's won countless awards for her songs, broken several records throughout her career, released multiple hit albums, and solidified herself as one of country music's sweethearts. From her beautiful rendition of "Softly And Tenderly" at the CMA Awards to crowd-pleasers like "Before He Cheats", Underwood's voice never fails to impress. A true performer, she's racked up a net worth of 85 million over the course of her career. With success like hers, it's no wonder so many people are familiar with her music. Here are five fast facts everyone should know about Carrie Underwood.

It's hard to believe when you hear her songs, but Underwood never had any formal singing training before the start of her career. What she did have, was lots and lots of practice. Underwood first sang in her local church at the young age of three. Then when she was fourteen, she auditioned for Capitol Records. Underwood traveled to Nashville to audition for the label and they were so impressed they were ready to sign a deal with her. They started on a contract, but a change in management terminated the deal before anything really came of it. Thankfully Underwood didn't have to wait too long for another opportunity, and earned herself a spot on "American Idol" when she was twenty one.

Since the start of Underwood's career, she's been widely praised for her incredible vocal range. Country icons and adoring fans are consistently amazed by the notes Underwood can hit and sustain on her studio albums and live in concert. Not only can she hit just about any note, but her voice has also been praised for its incredible versatility. There isn't a genre she can't pull off; she's performed classic gospel songs, given powerful performances to rock songs, and is recognized as one of the greatest country stars of her generation. She attributes her vocal talents to her healthy lifestyle and her young age. She believes keeping herself physically fit and being able to work out has helped with her stamina on stage, and doesn't plan on taking it easy until she's much older.

The "Before He Cheats" singer has quite a few acting credits to her name. Her first taste of television fame came in the form of a voice over performance on the PBS children's series Sesame Street. She played Carrie Underworm, a musical worm who sang a song about pride before a big race down the infamous street. Underwood surprised critics with her talents in her next venture, guest starring as Tiffany, one of Ted's love interests, in the popular sitcom "How I Met Your Mother". It was one of the highest rated episodes of the season and both critics and viewers alike were in awe of how well Underwood performed in her first real acting role. She then made her film debut in April 2011 in "Soul Surfer". Underwood played Sarah Hill, a church youth group leader who helped Bethany Hamilton overcome challenges after suffering from a shark attack. Her biggest acting endeavor came just a year later when she was cast as the iconic character Maria von Trapp in NBC's broadcast of "The Sound of Music". Based on the musical of the same name, NBC produced a live three hour telecast, in which Underwood was the shining star.

Underwood paired with Dick's Sporting Goods to create active wear for women just as busy as she is. CALIA by Carrie Underwood is full of fitness must haves, from the perfect pair of tights to a comfortable post workout outfit. Underwood is usually seen on the red carpet wearing a beautiful dress, or on stage in an outfit channeling her southern roots, but with her constantly active lifestyle it's no surprise she was drawn to fitness apparel. Wanting to make it easier for herself and women everywhere, Underwood designed a collection of feminine styles to make the transition from gym to the real world seamless. Her fitness collection is perfect for mixing, matching, and layering. The line carries bras, shirts and tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories, and different designs and styles are added consistently. Her products are affordable, and she even wears them herself, making this a fan's best chance to dress like the country star.

Underwood believes wholeheartedly in giving back, especially to her unbelievably supportive hometown. In 2009 she established the Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation for the town. The foundation helps with services, causes and general needs that impact the small rural town's community. Two years later, Underwood opened the Happy Paws Animal Shelter, also in her hometown. A huge supporter of animal rights, she's done multiple public service announcements for the Humane Society and a "Protect Your Pets" announcement for Do Something. She's also a spokesperson for the Pedigree adoption drive, has donated over $10,000 to an animal shelter in New York, and personally rescued an abandoned dog she saw along the highway. Throughout the course of her career Underwood has donated millions of dollars to cancer research, anti-bullying benefits, disaster funds, several organizations that benefit kids and Habitat for Humanity. One of her most recent philanthropic efforts came from her work with Operation Homefront, providing military families with private pier-side concerts aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Underwood treated service men and women, along with their families, to personal meet and greets before her concerts. With Underwood's ever growing net worth, she seems to give more and more back each and every year, doing whatever she can to pay it forward.

Underwood was thirteen years old when she stopped eating meat, but recently she's taken things a step further. Not only does she never eat meat, but she tries to eat totally vegan, which she cooks for herself. She doesn't order out for dinner and sticks to the basics, which makes cooking her own meals and keeping them vegan much easier than one might think. Pictured above is one of Underwood's favorite healthy breakfast options; avocado, tomato and vegan mayonnaise on a whole wheat sandwich thin.

After meeting backstage at one of her concerts in late 2008, Underwood began dating NHL star Mike Fisher. A year later, the two were engaged, and in the following year they married. The two wed at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, in Greensboro, Georgia, in a wedding that cost $500,000! Underwood was often in attendance at Fisher's hockey games, often wearing his Nashville's Predators jersey with pride. A player on a different team at the start of their relationship, the Ottawa Senators, the owner's accepted a trade deal from Nashville so Fisher could be closer to his wife. In February 2015, Underwood gave birth to the couple's first child, their son Isaiah Michael Fisher.

When she's not moving a room to tears with her sweet rendition of "Softly And Tenderly", hosting the CMA Awards or selling out arenas, Underwood is living a happy and humble life with her family. A powerhouse talent, Underwood is one star that hasn't let fame and fortune go to her head, with all the success she's seen, she's still a simple Oklahoma girl at heart.