On Sunday, Carrie Underwood makes her debut as a judge on “American Idol” during the program’s Season 23 premiere. But 21 years ago, the acclaimed country singer was on the other side of the judging table.

Underwood shared a video reacting to her 2004 “American Idol” audition, a successful tryout that would set her on the path to win the TV competition’s fourth season. The audition took place in St. Louis, Missouri, when Underwood was 21 years old.

Underwood performed the Bonnie Raitt song “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in front of the original “American Idol” judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. The artist said she picked the song knowing that Cowell was not particularly found of country music.

“Even one of the executive producers at the time was like, ‘You know Simon hates country music, right?’” she recalled in the reaction video.

To her surprise, Cowell cut off her audition — and immediately paid her a compliment, saying Underwood’s performance was “very good.”

“I was saying to someone the other day, I’m surprised that we haven’t found a good country singer in this competition yet,” Cowell said. “I think you’re very good. I think you should stay good at what you’re doing, as well.”

Underwood said in the video that Cowell “deserves a lot of credit” for keeping an open mind during her audition.

“He saw a country artist and the value that country music has,” she said.

Jackson also complimented Underwood’s performance, and gave her feedback about honing her emotionality and stage presence.

“I’m still working on that,” she said in the reaction video.

Underwood received a unanimous “yes” from the judges and left St. Louis with a coveted ticket to Hollywood.

“I have no idea how that 21-year-old Carrie was able to muster up enough guts to walk into a room and audition in front of Simon, Paula, and Randy, and the world,” she said.

“I guess the good Lord gave me strength,” she added. “That’s destiny, and we all have one.”