Are Gabby Barrett and Carrie Underwood Friends?

Music lovers of all ages appreciate country music not only for the stories that the songs tell, but for the way that their favorite artists seem to embody those classic country values. Many high-profile country music artists have established strong friendships with each other, collaborating on hit songs and even working on tour plans together. One example of this is the sweet friendship between country queen Carrie Underwood and the up-and-coming artist Gabby Barrett. 

Underwood and Barrett have a lot in common

Fans everywhere know Carrie Underwood as one of the reigning queens of country music, an American Idol champion who went on to become one of the biggest recording artists in the music industry. Over the years, Underwood has released songs such as “Before He Cheats,” “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and “Last Name.” As a wife and mother in addition to her professional obligations, Underwood stays busy — but she makes time to build friendships with other artists.

Gabby Barrett is a country singer who has a few major similarities to Underwood. Barrett finished third on season 16 of American Idol, the same reality series that is responsible for Underwood’s rise to fame. Like Underwood, Barrett was raised in humble circumstances. But thanks to her talent and determination, she’s been able to build a successful career on her own terms. It almost seems inevitable that the two women would eventually cross paths and forge a powerful friendship.

When did Carrie Underwood and Gabby Barrett first meet?

In the summer of 2020, Gabby Barrett’s song “I Hope” was climbing the charts. It was around that time that Barrett really became close to Carrie Underwood, who she had first met in 2018, when Underwood mentored her during Barrett’s days on American Idol.

According to Country Now, Underwood remained supportive of her when her song started charting. “When ‘I Hope’ went No. 1, Carrie texted me congrats,” Barrett said. “We keep in touch, and I think I can call her friend now. That’s pretty cool!”

In June 2020, Barrett talked to People magazine about her friendship with Underwood, and the reasons why so many people compare the two artists

“If I’m going to be compared to anybody, I hope it’s Carrie Underwood.” Barrett elaborated, saying  “But when I actually talked to her about how people compare me to her on American Idol, she said, ‘You know what? You have blonde hair, I have blonde hair. You have a big voice in country music, and so do I. But clearly there’s a difference between me and you — our voices don’t sound the same.'”

Are Carrie Underwood and Gabby Barrett friends?

Gabby Barrett has been able to maintain her upwards trajectory in country music, and in the spring of 2021, the young artist was named new female artist of the year by the Academy of Country Music. She has also continued her friendship with Carrie Underwood, even relying on her for parenting advice.

Barrett, who gave birth to her daughter Baylah with her husband Cade Foehner in January 2021, told Good Morning America in April 2021 that “Carrie Underwood has been somebody who’s been extremely nice to me, even when I was pregnant. You know, she’s just awesome.”

Barrett went on to say, “She just had said if you ever needed any advice or whatnot, just let me know. And of course, I took her up on that because I need all the advice I can have with babies.”

Underwood is a mom to two young boys, so she undoubtedly has a lot of experience and advice to share with her country music soul sister.