Carrie Underwood joined forces with Mötley Crüe during the American Idol finale, delivering energetic performances of “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart.”
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The country star described the performance as “living my best rockstar life!”
Carrie Underwood embraced her musical roots during a high-energy moment on Monday, May 11, when she teamed up with Mötley Crüe for a special duet at the American Idol 2026 season finale. The 43-year-old Grammy-winning artist, who once won the show’s fourth season in 2005 and now serves as a judge, reunited with the stage that launched her career.
The show opened with the heavy metal group—Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and John 5—performing alongside Underwood on a version of “Home Sweet Home.” Lionel Richie was spotted enjoying the performance from the judges’ panel, visibly dancing as the song built in intensity, with dramatic stage effects like falling sparks and increasingly powerful instrumentation.
The energy then shifted as the performance moved into “Kickstart My Heart,” with the artists fully diving into a rock-heavy finale. The segment concluded with explosive visuals, including flames, strobe lighting, and skeletal imagery, earning a standing ovation from Richie, who was seated next to host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judge Luke Bryan.
Underwood later shared her excitement on Instagram, posting clips from the performance and writing, “Living my best rockstar life! #AmericanIdol🤘🏻.”
The singer, known for hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” has long expressed her passion for rock music. In April, she surprised audiences by joining Papa Roach on stage at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, where they performed collaborative tracks including “Leave a Light on (Talk Away the Dark)” and the band’s classic “Last Resort” in celebration of its 25th anniversary. She later described the experience as deeply meaningful, highlighting the thrill of performing both songs live.
Her appreciation for rock music also extends back years, including a 2019 reflection on working with iconic musician Joan Jett, further showing her lasting connection to the genre.