Carrie Underwood Recalls Her 2017 Fall, 40 Stitches, and How the Accident Made Her Redefine Beauty

Carrie Underwood, the powerhouse vocalist behind hits like “Before He Cheats”, opened up about a life-changing accident in 2017 that left her with a broken wrist and over 40 stitches across her face — an event that challenged not just her physical health but her perception of beauty and self-worth.

The Accident

It happened on a routine night when Underwood was taking her dogs outside. One misstep on her porch sent her tumbling to the ground. She recalls:

“I heard something crack, and I knew it wasn’t good.”

The fall caused severe facial injuries and a broken wrist, sending her into an emotional spiral as she feared her appearance — and by extension, her confidence — had been permanently altered.

Facing Scars and Fear

At the hospital, doctors warned she would need 40–50 stitches. The thought of visible scars terrified Underwood.

“All I could think was, ‘What if I don’t look like myself anymore?’”

In the weeks following the accident, she avoided mirrors and public appearances, covering her face out of fear rather than vanity. She later admitted:

“People don’t realize that even if scars fade, the memory doesn’t. I had to learn to love the face I saw — even when it didn’t feel like mine.”

Healing Through Music

Underwood channeled her recovery into her art. Her first major public performance post-accident was at the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards, singing “Cry Pretty”, a song she wrote during her healing process.

“That song became my therapy. Every line was me processing pain and the pressure to always look strong.”

Redefining Beauty and Strength

The experience reshaped her understanding of beauty.

“I stopped hiding my face,” she said. “Those scars — physical and emotional — are proof that I survived something. And that’s beautiful.”

She now speaks openly about self-acceptance and resilience, embracing imperfection as part of her journey.

A New Confidence

Reflecting on the fall, Underwood sees it as a turning point rather than a tragedy.

“It humbled me. It reminded me that life can change in one second, and you can either hide or grow.”

Her tours since, including The Cry Pretty Tour 360 and Denim & Rhinestones, echo this message of strength, authenticity, and grace. As she sang in “The Champion”:

“I am invincible, unbreakable, unstoppable, unshakeable.”

For Carrie Underwood, that lyric is more than a performance — it’s a testament to the courage and resilience she earned, one scar and one brave step at a time.