Carrie Underwood, Ludacris Rock 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards With ‘The Champion’ [Watch]
Carrie Underwood and Ludacris hit the stage at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards on Friday night for the debut television performance of their collaborative single, "The Champion."
Underwood and Ludacris owned the stage as they delivered the empowering finale performance. Her voice captivating as always, the superstar showed off her incredible vocal gift with the fiery song before Ludacris joined her to deliver an equally important message that encourages perseverance, motivation and mindfulness through the lyrics.
The twosome made an even more inspiring statement by inviting the West Los Angeles Children's Choir to participate in the performance. Dressed in all white, the students filtered through the audience and made their way to the stage, lighting up the arena with their beautiful voices as Underwood and Ludacris let them take the lead on a reprise of the chorus, serving as living proof of the song's meaning.
The seemingly unlikely pair released "The Champion" in January. Underwood co-wrote the song with Brett James, Chris DeStefano and Christopher Bridges (Ludacris). The powerful anthem reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 10 countries after it first aired during Super Bowl LII. It held the top spot in America throughout its release week, and then rose back to No. 1 for four consecutive days after the Super Bowl LII opening.
"The Champion" Carries a Powerful Message for Many Fans
Underwood was on hand to receive the Hero Award at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday night (June 22) and aired on the Disney Channel on Saturday (June 23).
Underwood's former American Idol judge Randy Jackson had the honor of presenting her with the award, citing her support for education initiatives, arts programs and animal shelters in her hometown of Checotah, Okla, in addition to her work with organizations including Make-A-Wish, Red Cross, ACM Lifting Lives and St. Jude as examples of her benevolent efforts, calling her "one of the greatest souls on the planet."
"We've all been blessed with gifts that we can use to make the world a place," a humbled Underwood said as she accepted the award. "Growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, I certainly never imagined that anybody anywhere would be giving me any kind of hero award...May we all use our gifts to help each other because that's what champions do."
She also hit the Radio Disney Music Awards red carpet, where she and fellow superstar Kelly Clarkson clowned around in front of the cameras in an impromptu American Idol champions reunion.
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