Carrie Underwood Makes History as the Highest-Certified Female Country Artist of All Time
Carrie Underwood has officially cemented her place in music history. The eight-time GRAMMY winner is now the highest RIAA-certified female country artist of all time, surpassing every other female performer in the genre’s history with a staggering 95 million certified units in the United States alone.
A Record-Breaking Milestone
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Underwood’s certifications include 22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles sold across both solo projects and collaborations.
To commemorate the historic milestone, executives from MCA Nashville and the RIAA presented Underwood with an official plaque backstage at her Grand Ole Opry performance last week.
The presentation was attended by MCA’s Robert Femia (COO & EVP, Business & Legal Affairs), Jackie Jones (SVP, Artist & Industry Relations, RIAA), Mike Harris (President & CEO), Katie McCartney (EVP/General Manager), and Stephanie Wright (EVP/Head of A&R).
Carrie’s Heartfelt Reaction
In her statement, Underwood reflected on how far she’s come since her American Idol beginnings, expressing deep gratitude toward her fans:
“Accomplishments like this are more than I would have ever dared to dream of when I was starting out. I owe everything to the fans, who have literally voted for me from the beginning of my career and have showed up and given me so much love for over 20 years. I feel truly blessed.”
Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA Nashville, praised Underwood’s artistry and longevity:
“This monumental achievement solidifies Carrie Underwood’s legacy as a generational talent and a true titan of the music industry. Becoming the highest RIAA certified female country artist of all time is a testament to the unparalleled connection Carrie shares with fans and the enduring power of her artistry.”
Career Highlights & Certified Hits
Carrie Underwood’s certification history includes some of the biggest songs and albums in modern country music:
“Before He Cheats” – 11x Platinum
“Blown Away” – 5x Platinum
“Cowboy Casanova” – 4x Platinum
“All-American Girl” – 3x Platinum
“Church Bells” – 3x Platinum
Some Hearts (Album) – 9x Platinum
Her collaboration with Cody Johnson, “I’m Gonna Love You,” recently earned Platinum status, while her original holiday song “Favorite Time of Year” from the My Gift (Special Edition) album achieved Gold certification.
A Legacy of Excellence
Throughout her illustrious career, Underwood has collected over 100 major awards, including:
8 GRAMMY Awards
16 ACM Awards (including 3 Entertainer of the Year wins)
25 CMT Music Awards
17 American Music Awards
10 People’s Choice Awards
7 CMA Awards
She’s also earned 29 No. 1 singles and remains one of the few artists whose entire catalog of 10 studio albums debuted inside the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Looking Ahead
Underwood’s most recent album, Denim & Rhinestones (2022), continues to showcase her signature blend of powerhouse vocals and genre versatility. Fans will also see her return as a judge on the upcoming season of American Idol, premiering this January on ABC — bringing her journey full circle, from Idol winner to one of country music’s most accomplished artists of all time.
At 20 years into her career, Carrie Underwood’s story is still being written — and she shows no signs of slowing down.