Carrie Underwood makes career pivot and launches new business amid rumors she’s leaving American Idol

CARRIE Underwood is shaking up her career with a surprise business launch as whispers have swirled that she could be stepping away from American Idol, The U.S. Sun can reveal.

The chart-topping singer, who shot to fame after winning the singing competition in 2005, has unveiled a brand-new wellness venture called HiNote – a move that signals a major pivot beyond music and TV.

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Carrie Underwood launched a wellness brand, HiNote, that focuses on giving consumers simple and effective health-based energyCredit: JEFF JOHNSON/Konnect Agency

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Carrie Underwood on the judging panel for the current season of American IdolCredit: Disney
Carrie’s latest project is aimed squarely at busy women juggling work, family, and fitness, offering what she describes as a “simple, consistent path to wellness.”

Leading the launch is HiNote Everyday Energy Daily Nutrition Drink Mix – a powdered supplement designed to be whipped up in just 30 seconds.

The drink packs a punch with 20 grams of protein – including 15 grams of clear whey and 5 grams of collagen, alongside 5 grams of fiber, a blend of 13 fruits and vegetables, greens, superfoods, and vitamin B.

It will be available in three flavors: Berry Medley, Juicy Peach, and Strawberry Lemonade.

The business expansion beyond TV and music doesn’t stop there.

Carrie, 43, is also revamping her popular fitness platform, turning her fit52 app into HiNote Life – Powered by fit52, a more comprehensive hub designed to support both fitness and nutrition in one place.

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HiNote Everyday Energy Daily Nutrition Drink Mix is a powdered supplement designed to be whipped up in just 30 seconds for ultimate wellnessCredit: JEFF JOHNSON/Konnect Agency

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Carrie Underwood celebrates CALIA By Carrie Underwood during a 2018 workout in NYCCredit: Getty
The singer made it clear that the brand is deeply personal, opening up about the pressures women face when it comes to health.

“For me, health has never been about chasing perfection. It is about stewardship.

“Taking care of the body that was given to me. Taking care of my mind. Learning to quiet the voice that says, ‘You’re not enough,’ or ‘You’re too far behind to start,’” Carrie said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.

She added that through her fitness community, she’s noticed a recurring struggle among women trying to “manage everything else in our busy lives” while also prioritizing their well-being.

“And somewhere in there, this quiet pressure that wellness has to be done perfectly. That you have to get it ‘right.’

“That if you miss a day or eat the wrong thing or don’t have an hour to work out, you’ve failed,” she added.

Carrie admitted she’s faced those same expectations herself – and wants HiNote to challenge that all-or-nothing mindset.

“It’s not just about workouts or diets. It never was. It’s about mindset. Faith. Emotional balance.

“Learning to replace limiting beliefs with truth. Learning to say, ‘I can do hard things,’ and also, ‘I can give myself grace,” she explained.

The Grammy winner emphasized that her approach to wellness is rooted in longevity, not quick fixes.

“It’s about small, steady positive choices that add up over time – choosing better. Not perfectly, just consistently.”

The launch comes as speculation grows over Carrie’s future on American Idol, where she has remained closely tied to the franchise that made her a household name.

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Carrie and mom, Carole Underwood, celebrate her wellness brand, CALIA By Carrie Underwood’s new Mother’s Day campaign on May 3, 2018 in New York CityCredit: Getty

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The country singer shows off her fit figure and toned musclesCredit: Getty
Carrie officially joined the judging panel in 2025, stepping in to replace Katy Perry after her seven-season run came to an end.

The casting was seen as a full-circle moment for the show, with Carrie, who won Idol back in 2005, returning two decades later as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

She continued on for Season 24 in 2026, marking her second year on the panel.

Behind the scenes, there have been rumblings that her future on Idol may be uncertain.

Reports have suggested that both Carrie and Luke’s long-term commitment to the show could be “waning,” fueling speculation that producers may again rethink the panel.

At the same time, Carrie has been increasingly focused on life away from Hollywood including spending more time on her Tennessee farm and scaling back other commitments like touring.

While she has not publicly addressed any exit rumors, the timing of her major business expansion is likely to fuel further speculation about what’s next for the singer.

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Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood pose with Ryan Seacrest on American Idol’s 90’s nightCredit: Getty

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Carrie Underwood attends the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation’s 29th Annual Taste For a Cure at Fox Studio Lot on May 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Getty