Fresh off filming in Hawaii for “American Idol,” country superstar Carrie Underwood made a surprise appearance during Cody Johnson’s sold-out concert in Nashville on February 15, 2025.
Videos shared by fans and media outlets show the sold-out crowd at Bridgestone Arena going wild as Underwood casually walked onstage to sing her new duet with Johnson, “I’m Gonna Love You.” The duo released the song in September, according to CountryChord, and is currently in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
The only sour note of the night, many fans pointed out on social media, was that Johnson didn’t help Underwood down the stage stairs in her high-heeled boots, especially given that she’s taken a tumble onstage before.
Some Fans Wish Cody Johnson Was More of a ‘Gentleman’ With Carrie Underwood
Wearing a ripped leopard print denim skirt, knee-high black boots and a sparkly “CoJo” t-shirt in honor of Johnson, Underwood looked flawless and at ease as she joined Johnson onstage and the crowd exploded in cheers.
Social media blew up with fans sharing and reacting to Underwood’s surprise appearance, including one who wrote on TikTok, “Carrie brings a whole new energy to the stage! God she’s a queen”
On Instagram, another fan wrote, “It was insane! Electric!”
After Underwood belted out her first stanza of “I’m Gonna Love You,” she carefully followed Johnson down the stage stairs — a move that multiple fans expressed disappoint over, wishing Johnson had offered her a hand.
“Love the song but can’t believe he is not a gentleman,” one wrote on Instagram. “Married or not you always offer a hand to a lady especially in heels walking down stairs!!”
Someone else replied, “true! I was wondering if anyone else would mention this.”
On a TikTok video shared by CountryNow, many fans complained about the same oversight, including someone who wrote, “He didn’t even help her down the steps in those heels, very un Texas like!!!”
Underwood managed just fine, though. But in 2013, the winner of season four on “American Idol” wound up in a boot after tumbling onstage in five-inch heels. According to ABC News, she tweeted at the time, “Hey, remember that time in Corpus Christi when that girl busted her butt on stage?! Hilarious. Oh wait, that was me! Good news, it’s not broken… AND I got some new footwear. #klutz #5inchheels”
Carrie Underwood Also Surprised Crowd at CMA Awards
This is the second time Underwood has surprised fans by appearing alongside Johnson to perform their duet. She was an unannounced guest star during Johnson’s performance at the CMA Awards in November, walking onstage in a flowing white gown with a leather corset.
It marked the first time the duo had sung their duet live, according to Country Now.
After their surprise performance, Johnson told Billboard on the red carpet, “Besides Reba McEntire, that is probably the most professional vocalist I’ve ever worked with.”
She is so great,” he continued. “She is so gracious and she is so talented and she took the time to come here and do this and it meant the world to me. So Carrie, if you’re watching, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing that.”
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Fans Say Country Star Should Have Helped Carrie Underwood During Surprise Performance