Grammy Awards 2008

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Nominations: Two, including best female country vocal performance for her second album, Carnival Ride.
Avoiding the Dreaded Sophomore Slump: "'Is there really anywhere to go but down?' There was that fear in my head," the 24-year-old told Billboard. "Then we started picking songs and I realized it was more [about] making an album for myself. ... Whatever happens, it's icing on the cake."
Next Up: Underwood and Keith Urban co-headline the Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour, which kicks off Jan. 31.