Carrie Underwood, the country superstar and American Idol judge, is venturing into rock music with guidance from her close friend Axl Rose, the Guns N' Roses frontman, according to a report from TMZ published on September 19, 2026.
Sources told TMZ that Underwood has been working on new music that diverges significantly from her country roots, and that Rose is mentoring her as she experiments with the rock genre. The two artists have a history of collaborating on stage, including performances at Stagecoach in 2022 and another appearance in 2023.
A source further indicated to TMZ that Underwood is expected to attend a Guns N' Roses concert in Atlanta this weekend and might even join the band on stage. This potential appearance comes as she continues to explore new musical directions.
Underwood has released eight albums throughout her career, all of which have been firmly rooted in country music. Her most recent album, "Denim & Rhinestones," was released in 2022. Recently, she garnered attention for performing a Limp Bizkit cover on stage, signaling a possible shift in her musical style.
The collaboration between Underwood and Rose has sparked curiosity about the direction of her forthcoming music. As she continues to work with Rose, fans and industry observers alike are eager to see how this mentorship influences her sound.