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5 Surprising Facts About Carrie Underwood's Sisters, Shanna Means And Stephanie Shelton (Including Their Recent Matching Tattoos)

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Despite the massive fame and global spotlight that follows country music superstar Carrie Underwood, her two older sisters, Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton, have successfully maintained a deeply private life away from the Nashville buzz. As of December 18, 2025, the public rarely gets a glimpse into the siblings' relationship, but a recent, heartfelt family moment—involving matching tattoos—has offered a rare and intimate look at the strong bond shared by the three Underwood women.

The sisters' commitment to a quiet, private life is a testament to their grounded Oklahoma roots, providing a crucial, stable anchor for Carrie amidst her demanding career. While they may not walk the red carpet, their influence on the Grammy winner is undeniable, shaping her early musical tastes and providing the foundation of her strong family values. Here is a deep dive into the lives of Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton, the women who knew Carrie long before American Idol.

Biography and Profile: Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton

Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton are the older siblings of country singer Carrie Underwood. They were born to Carole (Shatswell) and Steve Underwood and raised on a family farm in the rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma, a small-town setting that instilled a strong sense of community and humility in all three girls. Unlike their younger sister, who became a global icon, both Shanna and Stephanie chose careers far removed from the entertainment industry, preferring to live fulfilling lives focused on education and family.

  • Full Names: Shanna Underwood Means and Stephanie Underwood Shelton
  • Parents: Carole Shatswell Underwood (Mother) and Stephen "Steve" Underwood (Father)
  • Hometown/Upbringing: Checotah, Oklahoma
  • Occupations: Both sisters are highly respected elementary school teachers.
  • Relationship with Carrie: Extremely close, though private. They are known to be a source of stability and normalcy for the singer.
  • Current Residence: Stephanie Shelton is known to reside in Tennessee, closer to Carrie, while Shanna Means maintains a life in Oklahoma or a neighboring state.
  • Notable Fact: They share a significant age gap with Carrie, which shaped their roles as mentors during her formative years.

1. The Massive Age Gap That Shaped Carrie's Childhood

One of the most defining aspects of the Underwood family dynamic is the significant age difference between Carrie and her two older sisters. Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983. At the time of her birth, Shanna Means was 13 years old, and Stephanie Shelton was 10. This substantial gap meant that the sisters were more like second mothers or mentors to the youngest sibling rather than typical playmates.

This dynamic was particularly influential because both sisters had moved out of the family home in Checotah, Oklahoma, by the time Carrie was in her most formative years. However, their influence was profound. Carrie has often spoken about how Shanna and Stephanie were responsible for introducing her to different genres of music and shaping her early fashion sense. This early exposure to varied tastes, including rock and pop, is credited by some with contributing to the genre-blending success of her later country music career. The sisters’ departure from home also meant that Carrie spent many of her later childhood years as an only child, enjoying the undivided attention of her parents, Steve and Carole Underwood, a unique experience that many believe contributed to her independent nature and drive.

2. Both Sisters Chose Careers as Elementary School Teachers

While Carrie Underwood was chasing her dreams on American Idol and subsequently becoming a multi-platinum recording artist, her sisters chose a vastly different, yet equally impactful, career path: elementary education. Both Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton are dedicated elementary school teachers, a profession that keeps them firmly grounded in their local communities and away from the glitz of Hollywood and Nashville.

Stephanie Shelton, in particular, is noted to live in Tennessee, which places her geographically closer to Carrie's primary residence with her husband, Mike Fisher, and their children. Shanna Means, who was born on September 5, 1970, has also committed her professional life to teaching. This shared, non-celebrity profession underscores the family's deep-seated values of hard work, community service, and a life lived outside the public eye. Their choice of career provides a crucial layer of normalcy and stability for the entire family, often cited by Carrie as an essential counterpoint to the chaos of her celebrity life.

3. The Rare, Recent Matching Tattoos Shared by the Underwood Women

The most recent and public display of the sisters' bond came in a rare social media post shared by Carrie Underwood herself, highlighting an intimate family moment. In a move that surprised and delighted fans, Carrie, Shanna Means, Stephanie Shelton, and their mother, Carole Underwood, all got matching tattoos. This event, which took place in the recent past, offered a unique and fresh look into the private lives of the Underwood women.

The matching tattoos—a simple, yet meaningful symbol—were a permanent tribute to their enduring family ties. This act is significant because it is one of the very few times the sisters have appeared in a public-facing capacity since Carrie's rise to fame. The photo shared by the country star instantly went viral, with fans praising the beautiful connection and the rare appearance of her siblings and mother. This recent event is a strong indication that despite the distance and different lifestyles, the core Checotah family unit remains incredibly close and is willing to share a small, symbolic piece of their private life with the world. It provides a powerful, current example of the topical authority surrounding the Underwood family's commitment to one another.

4. They Are Fiercely Protective of Their Privacy and Family Life

In the age of constant social media scrutiny, Shanna and Stephanie have been remarkably successful in maintaining their privacy. Unlike many celebrity siblings who capitalize on their relative's fame, both women have actively chosen to avoid the spotlight and have rarely given interviews or made public statements about their famous sister. This commitment to a private life is a conscious decision, reflecting their desire to be known for their own careers and families rather than their connection to a country music icon.

Their protective nature extends to their own families. Details about their respective spouses and children are kept out of the public domain, allowing their children to grow up in a normal, non-celebrity environment. This boundary-setting is something Carrie deeply respects and often credits for keeping her grounded. The sisters serve as a reminder that a life of stability and anonymity is a choice, even when a family member is one of the most recognizable faces in the world of entertainment. Their dedication to a quiet life ensures that when the family does gather, the focus is entirely on genuine connection, not celebrity status.

5. Their Strong Influence on Carrie's Early Musical Tastes and Style

Although they were much older, Shanna and Stephanie played an essential role in Carrie’s cultural education. When they were teenagers and young adults, they were listening to music that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, well before Carrie was old enough to choose her own music. This meant the youngest Underwood was exposed to a diverse array of artists and genres outside of traditional country music.

Carrie has mentioned in interviews that her sisters would play everything from classic rock to pop, inadvertently broadening her musical palate. This early, diverse exposure is a key factor in her ability to successfully cross over into different musical styles throughout her career, allowing her to appeal to a wider audience than many of her country music peers. Furthermore, as the older sisters, they also influenced her early fashion sense, providing a sense of style that moved beyond the small-town norm. Their quiet, early mentorship was foundational, proving that even a small-town upbringing on a Checotah farm can produce a globally recognized star with a broad artistic vision.

carrie underwood sisters
carrie underwood sisters

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