It's a story that's been swirling through the Hollywood rumor mill for weeks: Could American Idol be the final nail in the coffin of Carrie Underwood's marriage? After all, the country music queen is not only set to return to the show as a judge (a first for anyone to be both a judge and performer on the show), but she's also about to face the pressure of a long-distance relationship while juggling her demanding career.

But hold your horses! Carrie's camp is adamant that this American Idol journey won't spell doom for her marriage to former hockey star Mike Fisher, a relationship that has weathered its fair share of storms over the years.

Behind the Headlines: A Marriage Under Scrutiny

The truth is, Carrie's whirlwind career has been a source of tension for the couple since the beginning.

Back in 2018, when Mike retired from professional hockey, the pressure to adjust to a new normal was intense. “They had their share of struggles behind closed doors, specifically when Mike was still playing hockey and they were having a hard time balancing their careers and home life,” an anonymous source told OK! Magazine. “But there were still rough patches after his retirement, too.”

The source continued, "When they feel frustrated with each other or like they aren’t as connected as they could be, they make it a point to slow down, prioritize their marriage and meet in the middle.

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This speaks volumes about the couple's commitment to navigating the challenges of their busy lives. They've been open about the sacrifices they've made, including Carrie's significant time spent on the road during her last tour.

"We're a Team"

However, Carrie has made it clear that their marriage is more than capable of handling the demands of her latest venture.

"Their friends worry about how they’re going to keep it together,” a source close to the couple told Star Magazine. “But Carrie says their faith in marriage and in God is stronger than anything."

Carrie's unwavering faith and her dedication to her family are well-known. She's constantly spoken about the importance of having a supportive partner in Mike and about the unwavering bond they share. “Mike as a dad is just super involved in our boys’ lives, very hands on,” she explained in a 2023 interview.

"It takes a team, definitely, to be able to support my crazy life and Mike’s always running around doing a lot of charity things and he’s always meeting with people and he’s on different boards and stuff like that. So we’re very much switching off duties as far as taking boys here and there to school and sports and to all the extracurricular activities."

Finding Balance:

Carrie's commitment to family is evident. While she's in Los Angeles filming American Idol, she's making sure to prioritize time with her husband and children. “Kids need structure, so for the most part they’ll stay at home while Carrie’s traveling,” the source revealed. "Carrie swears they can handle the long distance.”

But let's face it, long-distance relationships are never easy.

Will Carrie and Mike be able to successfully navigate the challenges of being apart for extended periods? Only time will tell. However, it seems like they have a strong foundation built on mutual support, faith, and a shared desire to make their family a priority.