As “American Idol” prepared to name the contestant who would round out this season’s top 24, Carrie Underwood got emotional. But the “Idol” judge’s emotions had more to do with the performance she had just heard than it did the pressure of the situation.

American Idol” contestant Samantha Ray paid tribute to her late sister with an audition that brought judge Carrie Underwood to tears during Sunday’s new episode.

Carrie Underwood won "American Idol's" fourth season at 21 years old. Look back on what her career has looked like since she left Muskogee, Oklahoma.