Carrie Underwood, the Grammy-winning country star, has long been recognized for her signature bright blonde hair. However, recent photos have revealed a new look that has captured the attention of fans and media alike. The singer recently took to social media to share an update about her partnership with St. Jude’s Hospital, but it was her natural hair color that stole the spotlight.
In the post, Carrie shared a selfie wearing a St. Jude’s tee, captioning it with a message about hope and support for children facing cancer. “Every child deserves hope. Become a Partner in Hope with @stjude and get your @musicgives shirt at musicgives.org and help kids facing cancer,” she wrote. The image quickly sparked conversations online, not just about her cause, but about her transformation.
In the photo, Carrie’s hair appeared to have returned to its natural color—a rich, glossy warm-toned brunette with highlights that reached her collarbones. Fans were quick to respond, with one commenting, “Still very pretty but looks like a different person!” Another added, “I love the brunette hair. Nothing wrong with a change. Very pretty Ms. Underwood.”
The new color complements her dark brown eyebrows and eyes, and it has been a process over the past few months to achieve this look. “The last time I saw my natural hair color, I was probably about 12-years-old,” she shared in a follow-up post. She also included a photo of her unbleached but still blonde hair from a recent stylist appointment with Katelin Megert, whose services start at $375 for a full custom color.
“I thought it might be time to give it a second chance,” she added, mentioning that friends and family, including Miranda Lambert, have embraced the change. The transformation is more than just a style shift—it marks a new chapter in her life and career.
Carrie first gained fame on American Idol over 20 years ago, and her blonde ringlets became a defining feature of her persona. Over the years, her long blonde locks have become synonymous with her identity as a country superstar.
This change comes at a significant professional milestone for the 42-year-old. Recently, Carrie was named the highest RIAA-certified female country artist of all time, with over 95 million units sold in the U.S. alone. This achievement surpasses Shania Twain, who previously held the title.
Carrie, an eight-time Grammy winner and 16-time ACM Awards honoree, expressed her gratitude in an emotional speech after the announcement. “Accomplishments like this are more than I would have ever dared to dream of when I was starting,” she said. “I owe everything to the fans, who have literally voted for me from the beginning of my career and have shown up and given me so much love for over 20 years. I feel truly blessed.”
Carrie accepted the plaque to celebrate this achievement following her performance at the Grand Ole Opry in mid-October. During the event, she honored the late songwriter Brett James. She wore a stunning outfit—a royal blue mini dress by Mariandrée Gaitáns, featuring a strapless design with hand-stitched floral and beaded embellishments.
“Thank you to the incredible team behind this magic moment. We’re so proud to see Carrie become an MG girl!” the brand shared on social media, highlighting the significance of the moment.
Carrie Underwood continues to evolve both personally and professionally, proving that even a change in hair color can spark a conversation about growth, legacy, and the journey of a true icon.