Carrie Underwood’s big “decision” before American Idol’s premiere.

Before her American Idol audition, an executive producer told Carrie Underwood that Simon Cowell hated country music — but she already knew. Then 21, Underwood went ahead with her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” while trying out for the singing competition in 2005,

Underwood received rave reviews for her first episode, with many viewers taking to X to admit that they prefer her over Perry. “Carrie is so much better than Katy Perry,” one person wrote. Another said, “Jukebox Carrie Underwood is way better than Katy Perry sorry not sorry,” and someone else added, “Hate to say this… I’m glad Katy left.”