Carrie Underwood Wins Big at People's Choice Awards

Some people deserve what they get. In the case of "American Idol"-turned-country-superstar Carrie Underwood, the proof is in the receiving. The 25-year-old singing sensation walked away with three People's Choice Awards at the 35^th annual ceremony in Los Angeles Wednesday night (January 7).

And she deserved them all.

Since winning Season 4 of "American Idol," Carrie Underwood has done exactly what Simon Cowell said she would - sell more albums than any other "American Idol" contestant. Two albums released and she has sold nearly 10 million copies. Her first, "Some Hearts," has been certified seven times platinum (6.6 million copies sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America. It is also the biggest selling debut country album by a female artist in country music history.

Kelly Clarkson, the "American Idol" Season 1 champion who will soon release her fourth studio album, has not sold 10 million albums in the U.S. with three releases. And Kelly Clarkson had a three-year head start.

Chris Daughtry is the only other "American Idol" alumnus whose sales compare to Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. His band's debut album, "Daughtry," is closing in on the 5 million copies mark. If his second album does half as well as his first, Daughtry could give Carrie Underwood a run for her money. If...

In a little over three years, Carrie Underwood has endeared herself to not only country music fans, but pop fans as well. Three of the five singles from "Some Hearts" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart, while "Inside Your Heaven" went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. "Carnival Ride," Underwood's sophomore album, has placed four No. 1 singles on Billboard's Country singles chart, with all four placing within the Top Thirty on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

So it should have been little surprise to anyone that an awards show that allows the people to vote for their favorite should select Carrie Underwood. She walked away with Favorite Female Singer, Favorite Country Song (for "Last Name"), and Favorite Star Under 35 at the 35^th Annual People's Choice Awards.

And to think she was not nominated at all in 2008.

Carrie Underwood has won three Grammys, including one for Best New Artist (2007). She has won two Academy of Country Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year two years in a row (2007-2008). She won the Country Music Assocation (CMA) Horizon Award (equivalent to best new artist) in 2006 and has also won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year three straight years (2006-2008).

And she deserved them all.

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Sources:

"35^th Annual People's Choice Awards," CBS Television

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