carrie underwood grew up in oklahoma, on her family's farm in checotah. she started singing at a young age, initially at church and later in school plays and talent shows. in 2002 she entered northeastern state university in tahlequah, oklahoma, with intentions to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. she has had fourteen songs reach number one on charts in the united states and canada, including "inside your heaven", "jesus, take the wheel", and "before he cheats". in 2007, underwood sang during one of the live shows of american idol, season 6. on december 5, 2013, underwood appeared in "the sound of music live" on nbc television. she played the heroine maria von trapp in the three-hour production. she received critical praise in the "new york times" for her singing, but was reviewed negatively for her acting.