Carrie Underwood attends the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada© Getty Images

Carrie Underwood's accident which left her needing 40 stitches in her face

The country music singer suffered a 'freak' injury

US Deputy Editor
Updated: January 8, 2024

Carrie Underwood has a famous face known around the world, but she once fell victim to a "freak" accident which left her scarred.

The country music star was left needing 40-50 stitches above her lip after an incident she's since opened up about.  

Back in November 2017, Carrie fell at her home while walking her dogs, and not only broke her wrist but caused massive injury to her face. 

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At the time, she was rushed to hospital where she received urgent care and subsequently warned fans that she "might look a bit different".

Carrie confessed that her confidence took a knock and she stepped away from the stage and the spotlight as she was unable to sing.

carrie underwood in black suit at rock and roll hall of fame ceremony© Getty
Carrie had to have 40-50 stitches in her face

"I had wanted to be in the studio sooner than I was, actually recording these songs, but I had stitches inside my mouth, outside my mouth," she told Vulture magazine. "It was physically impossible."

Speaking about the exact nature of the accident, Carrie told The Bobby Bones podcast:  "I was taking the dogs out and I just, I tripped. There was one step and I didn't let go of the leashes. Priorities!

"So that's why my left hand's fine. But I went to catch myself and I just missed a step. If I had fallen anywhere else, I would have been perfectly fine. But it was one step that messed everything up."

She also needed surgery on her wrist days after her fall. At the time she updated fans on social media and wrote: "I just wanted let everyone know that I'm doing great. Had surgery on my wrist yesterday & all went well

"I'm so thankful for the doctors, nurses, family & friends who've been taking such great care of me."

There was speculation that Carrie had undergone plastic surgery and that was the reason for her scarring. But she cleared up the suggestions in an interview with Redbook when she said:  “I'm on some magazine every other week for something crazy. It’s a little sad, because the truth is just as interesting. 

© Getty Images
Carrie also broke her wrist during the fall

She continued: "I wish I’d gotten some awesome plastic surgery to make this look better. Life is full of ups and downs, and I might have had a few more downs than ups last year,” she added.

Carrie spent several months out of the spotlight as she recovered. Although her scar is barely visible now, the mom-of-two told Today's Hoda Kotb, that she didn't know how bad the outcome would be. 

© Getty
Carrie was open about her injury

"In the beginning, I didn't know how things were going to end up. It just wasn't pretty," she said before adding: "I have a dedicated team of professionals who can spackle and paint and paste. Every day I'm feeling a little more back to normal."

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