By India McCarty
Carrie Underwood recently admitted that it can be “difficult” to share her faith in Hollywood, but she never stops doing so — and encourages others to follow in her footsteps.
“I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you,” the country singer said during a recent episode of AMERICAN IDOL.
Underwood and the other judges watched contestants Rylee and Breanna duet on Christian artist Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude,” and she got emotional as she addressed the pair.
“It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that,” she added.
Underwood has made a habit of standing firm in her beliefs, even when they are not necessarily popular. She came under fire earlier this year after agreeing to perform at President Trump’s inauguration.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” the artist said in a statement before the event. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
In a 2012 interview with The Independent, Underwood said, “Above all, God wanted us to love others. It’s not about setting rules, or [saying] ‘everyone has to be like me’. No. We’re all different. That’s what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It’s not up to me to judge anybody.”
She made similar comments in an interview with PEOPLE shortly after the birth of her first child, a son named Isaiah.
Related: Carrie Underwood Opens Up About How Her Faith Influences Her Music
Underwood said she and her husband, Mike Fisher, want their children to “have a loving heart toward people who are different.”
“Mike and I talk about teaching him how to approach everybody in a loving way, even if they’re not the same, and to try to say, ‘You know what? God loves them, so it should be my job to do my best to love them as well,’” she said.
Underwood is aware that her personal views might cause backlash but told The Associated Press that she tries not to focus on public comments.
“The role-model word is really scary to me, because no matter what happens in your life, something you do, wear, say, sing, whatever – somebody somewhere is probably not going to like it too well,” she explained. “I just really try hard to do what I do and try to be nice to people and make great music and if people think they can look up to that, that’s wonderful. If not, that’s OK too.”
Underwood might not welcome the public uproar that comes from being Christian in the entertainment industry, but she’s never shied away from sharing her faith.
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