The time has come. After Carrie Underwood christened the Resorts World Theatre in December of 2021, her landmark Las Vegas residency show Reflection is coming to a momentous close this weekend.
If you didn’t make it, you can get a taste from the live concert special available to stream on Hulu, released in January of this year. But your biggest big screen could never represent the live spectacle of Reflection, an epic production of which the country star remains infinitely proud. The Weekly caught up with Underwood via email for a check-in on her other current gig, judging on American Idol, and a look back at her favorite Vegas moments.
Reflecting on more than three years and what will be 72 performances, do you feel differently now about becoming the first-ever headliner at Resorts World Theatre?
It was such an honor to open this beautiful theater and to be the first-ever headliner at Resorts World. I’ve absolutely loved performing Reflection for over three years—it’s a very special show to me and it’s been so fun playing for audiences who have come to Las Vegas from all over the world. Looking back, I can’t believe we’ll have done over 70 shows, and love that the show will live on in the concert special that’s out now, so we’ll always have that to look back on to see this time in our lives.
Is there a part of the show that you’ve really looked forward to doing every night? Or a part that you really feel resonates best with your fans?
Of course, there are the hits like “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” that everyone comes to expect and that I will always love to sing. “Something In The Water” is another one of those songs, and I love that we have finally been able to bring that to life in such a spectacular way on stage as our finale with the giant water wall. It’s such a memorable set piece we could never pack up on a truck and move from city to city on tour, and I feel we’ve achieved something spectacular that is truly worthy of a Las Vegas production. Honestly, this show is just exhilarating to perform, I will really miss it.
What has it been like to return to American Idol as a judge?
It has been a blast!
We started filming the auditions back in October and I’m so happy that we’ve premiered and the world can see some really amazing talent. It’s been so fun reuniting with Ryan [Seacrest] and getting to work with Luke [Bryan] and Lionel [Richie]. There are also a lot of folks behind the cameras that were involved with the show 20 years ago when I won the title, so it really is a full-circle moment. That show was the beginning of everything for me and holds such a special place in my heart, and I love that I’m now able to be a part of someone else’s journey.
After Vegas and Idol, what’s next? Any plans for a new album or any other projects on the horizon?
I’ve got a duet with Cody Johnson, “I’m Gonna Love You,” which is out now and doing really great for us. I’ve also got a couple of other collaborations in the works, which is always fun for me. I’m always cooking something up, that’s a process that is always going on. This month is also the fifth anniversary of the launch of my fitness app, fit52, which is a huge passion of mine, and I love getting to share with our fit52 community.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD April 11 & 12, 8 p.m., $55-$649. Resorts World Theatre, axs.com
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