Country music loves a good Cinderella story—so it’s only natural that it would embrace Carrie Underwood. Growing up in the small town of Checotah, Oklahoma—population 3,533—Carrie became America’s sweetheart after winning the fourth season of American Idol. Before becoming a household name, Carrie worked at a gas station, a hotel, a pizza place and a veterinary clinic.

Since Idol, this country girl has taken the music business by storm. She’s sold millions of albums and has won multiple awards, including four Grammys. She also became only the seventh woman in the Academy of Country Music’s history to take home the Entertainer of the Year award!