Carrie Underwood 'stronger than ever' after 'soul-searching' year away from the spotlight

Country superstar Carrie Underwood is opening up about her “soul-searching” year out of the spotlight following an accident that left her with 40 stitches in her face.

In a new interview with Redbook magazine to promote her latest album, Cry Pretty, Underwood says her time away from the spotlight was nowhere near a vacation.

“There was so much to do, but it was also a very soul-searching year for me,” the 35-year-old said. “There were some personal things that happened. And I had the accident and all of that to get through … and just life. Life is full of ups and downs, and I might have had a few more downs than ups last year.”

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The star revealed she initially wasn’t sure how her facial injury would heal, prompting Underwood to warn fans that she may not look the same.

“It was also a perception thing, because I look at myself [now] and I see it quite a bit, but other people are like, ‘I wouldn’t have even noticed,'” she said. “Nobody else looks at you as much as you think they do. Nobody notices as much as you think they will, so that’s been nice to learn.”

During her time away, there were numerous reports that Underwood had undergone plastic surgery – a claim she laughs-off.

“I’m on some magazine every other week for something crazy. It’s a little sad, because the truth is just as interesting I wish I’d gotten some awesome plastic surgery to make this [scar] look better,” she said. “But I try not to worry too much about it. My mom will be like, ‘Did you see they are saying this about you?’ And I’ll be like, ‘Mama, I don’t care. I’m just trying to raise my son and live my life.'”

Despite her concerns, Underwood’s willingness to be vulnerable is refreshing, given her success. Underwood says she would tell any of her young fans to realize that everyone has insecurities – and it’s all part of being human.

“I feel like the most important thing to realize is that even people who seem to be super confident have insecurities that they are dealing with,” she said. “Honestly, you just do the best you can. Don’t worry about things you can’t change.”

Underwood’s latest album, Cry Pretty, will be released on September 14th.

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