Carrie Underwood Opens Up About Her Hidden Scars After 40 Stitches and a Harrowing Fall

Country superstar Carrie Underwood is known for her powerful voice and flawless image, but in a rare and deeply personal interview, she revealed the emotional aftermath of a frightening accident in 2017 that left her with over 40 stitches in her face and a broken wrist—an experience that challenged her sense of self like never before.

“I stopped looking in mirrors for months,” Underwood shared quietly. “I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me.”

The Night Everything Changed

The accident occurred on a cold November evening outside her Nashville home. Underwood was walking her dogs when she slipped on ice, falling hard and sustaining severe facial injuries as well as a broken wrist. “It all happened so fast,” she recalled. “One moment I was holding onto the leash, and the next I was on the ground, bleeding and shaking.”

Following surgery, which required more than 40 stitches to repair her face, Underwood found herself facing an unexpected battle—not just with her physical wounds, but with her confidence and identity. “Everyone told me it wasn’t that bad, but to me, it was devastating,” she admitted. “It wasn’t just about how I looked — it was about feeling broken.”

Healing From the Inside Out

In the months after the fall, Underwood stepped back from the public eye to focus on healing both physically and emotionally. “I’d wake up and avoid the mirror,” she said. “I had to learn to love myself again, scars and all. That was the hardest part.”

Her journey through pain and recovery became a powerful source of inspiration for her 2018 album Cry Pretty, especially the title track. “When I wrote ‘Cry Pretty,’ it was about letting people see you hurt — showing the world that it’s okay not to be okay,” she explained.

A New Kind of Strength

Looking back, Underwood says the experience transformed her understanding of strength and beauty. “I used to think strength meant keeping it all together,” she said. “But real strength is being able to fall apart and still find your way back.”

Now, with her scars a permanent reminder, Underwood is stronger than ever—headlining her Denim & Rhinestones tour, balancing motherhood, and embracing her story fully.

“I still have them,” she said softly. “They remind me that I’m not perfect, and that’s okay. Every mark, every scar — it’s proof that I made it through.”

Fans Praise Her Courage

Since her interview aired, fans have taken to social media to express admiration for Underwood’s honesty and resilience. One fan wrote, “Carrie’s strength and honesty make her more beautiful than ever.” Another shared, “She turned pain into power — that’s the real Carrie Underwood.”

Years after that life-altering night, Carrie Underwood’s reflection tells a story not of damage, but of survival and growth.

“I see the same girl,” she said with a smile. “Just a little tougher than before.”