Brave Carrie’s Fight to Save Her Marriage
After eight years together, Carrie Underwood reaches the breaking point and issues Mike Fisher an ultimatum
Just a few days before the release of her highly anticipated sixth studio album, Cry Pretty, Carrie Underwood abruptly pulled out of a number of appearances in the U.K., where she was set to perform. The seven-time Grammy winner, who is expecting her second child with husband Mike Fisher, wasn’t well: Her record label, UMG Nashville, released a statement on Sept. 7 saying the singer “has been forced to cancel several upcoming promotional activities in the U.K.,” including appearances at The Long Road Festival and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, “due to illness.”
It’s actually her marriage that needs to be nursed back to health. As In Touch previously reported, the “Dirty Laundry” crooner, 35, and the former NHL player, 38, have struggled with different personalities and opposing schedules throughout their eight years as husband and wife — and now they are going through another rocky patch as they gear up to welcome their second child next year. “They’re in crisis mode,” an insider explains of the parents to 3-yearold Isaiah. “Carrie canceling her shows is being blamed on illness, but it’s really part of her commitment to work on her marriage. A baby is on the way, and Mike wants Carrie to do less, not more. They’re fighting over it. They’re at a critical point, and she doesn’t want to rock the boat anymore.”
MOUNTING ISSUES
They’ve already endured plenty of rough waters in the past 12 months. Last November, while Mike was out of town, Carrie was alone at their 400-acre Nashville estate and suffered a fall that left her with a broken wrist and a gash on her face that required more than 40 stitches. Then, two months later — when Carrie was feeling especially vulnerable and feared being disfigured — Mike announced he was coming out of
retirement to play hockey again for the Nashville Predators. “Carrie really felt betrayed by him,” says a source. “She was at her most vulnerable and insecure and needed him by her side as she struggled through the most trying period of her life. There were some really dark times for Carrie and Mike as a couple, and at one point friends feared they were close to splitting.”
The devout Christian couple — who don’t believe in divorce — turned to faith-based counseling to save their marriage. Carrie also opened up to Mike about how she really felt about his return to work after he pledged to be a more hands-on dad following years of touring the country for the sport. “Carrie accused Mike of putting his career before their marriage. The whole situation was causing a huge rift, and there was an ultimatum: It was either hockey or her,” says a friend, adding that Carrie eventually got her way. “After some huge bustups, Mike finally agreed to give up hockey.” In May, just four months after he came out of retirement, he quit again, saying: “I’ve milked this cow as long as it’ll go.”
With things looking up for them, Carrie and Mike decided to try for another baby — which had been Carrie’s wish ever since giving birth to Isaiah in 2015. “Carrie hoped that getting pregnant for the second time would bring her and Mike closer together,” says the friend. “So it was a dream come true when she conceived again.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER But once Carrie was pregnant, Mike began to put pressure on his wife to cut back on her career. That was especially complicated for the singer and aspiring actress, because she had just switched record labels and was in the midst of recording new music. Nevertheless, Mike has extremely traditional views about family life. “He says she should put her career on hold, concentrate on raising the kids and make that her priority,” says the insider. And while Carrie did cancel her U.K. shows in September, she has pushed back on stepping out of the spotlight complete- ly. “Carrie loves her job,” adds the insider. “She can juggle being a mom and a singer. She wants to act more, which Mike is also against.”
Part of the problem: Politically conservative Mike can’t stand the entertainment industry. “Mike doesn’t like her Hollywood crowd,” says the insider. “He actually thinks her business is full of sinners, and he’d rather her stay in Tennessee and never go back to LA.” For her part, Carrie recently has been annoyed by Mike’s vocal support for conservative politicians such as Tennessee’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee. “Mike is very outspoken about his conservative views, while Carrie does not believe in sharing that information with the public,” says a second source. “I don’t believe Carrie wants her family’s personal beliefs to be known. I don’t think she wants to alienate any of her fans, and I think she’d want to raise her kids in an open-minded, inclusive manner.” ( Even her new single, “Love Wins,” borrows the phrase from the promarriage equality movement.)
All of those differences have led to yet more tension at home. “The truth is, there’s still a lot friction between her and Mike,” says the second source. “Carrie loves Mike, but they are diametrically opposed to each other on a number of issues.”
And yet another battle looms for the couple. Carrie has committed to kick off a tour in May after the baby arrives in order to support her Cry Pretty album. “Mike isn’t going to be happy about it,” says the insider, “and there’s already speculation among their inner circle about what will happen then. But Carrie can’t stress about that now — she’s just trying to take it one day at a time.”
That’s her philosophy when it comes to her marriage, too. Though there are incredibly tough times, “Carrie isn’t giving up easily,” says the insider. “She’s definitely not a quitter. She and Mike have been through a lot, and her love for him is strong. So she has hope that this next chapter in their lives is going to be amazing.” ◼