Whether audiences discovered her on Broadway as the star of Mamma Mia, through her viral interpretation of Radiohead’s “Creep,” or during her runs as Elphaba in the touring production of Wicked, her voice has always commanded attention. But after spending time with Carrie Manolakos for our latest CCM Spotlight, I came away convinced that her latest music may be her most important work yet.
Watch the full CCM Spotlight interview plus Carrie’s stunning live performances of “America the Beautiful” and “All Eyes on Us.” They are easily two of the finest vocal performances you’ll ever hear.
Carrie’s new EP, Oh Beautiful, arrives at a fascinating moment in American history as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. The project blends patriotism, faith, personal reflection, and a call for meaningful conversation in a way that feels both timely and deeply personal.
When I asked how she arrived at this moment, Carrie explained that the last several years took her somewhere she never expected.
“I moved to Tennessee in 2021, and I sort of really saw the polarization that was happening in the country and how divided people were becoming,” she told me. “And how actually, in reality, it’s very different than what we’re led to believe.”
That desire for eventually led her to share more of her heart publicly, a decision that came with consequences.
“I got to a point where I really felt like I needed to share my heart,” she said. “And when I did that, I was on the receiving end of a lot, and it was a very intense time in my life.”
Her response was music.
“The only thing that my heart actually could do was put this in a song,” she said. “And that song was ‘All Eyes on Us.'”
What began as a simple demo became the foundation for a larger message.
“The sentiments of that song really ask a lot of questions,” Carrie explained. “Who do we want to be moving forward, both as an individual and as a nation? How can we lead differently than we have? Or lead with more love?”
Carrie believes genuine dialogue remains one of the greatest needs in our culture.
“We always have an opportunity to begin again,” she said. “We always have an opportunity to have hope for the future. And we always, through speaking with each other, have an opportunity to find common ground. It’s when we don’t that we are in big, big, big trouble.”
For longtime followers of Carrie’s career, another part of her journey may be even more surprising. Alongside the music came a renewed faith.
“The story of coming back to my faith is very much intertwined with all of this,” she said. “That was very unexpected as well.”
She credits God with carrying her through some of the most challenging seasons of her life.
“I’m so thankful that God gave me strength. He gave me endurance. He’s given me courage. He is guiding me every step of the way, even when it’s the scariest thing.”
Having known Carrie personally through much of this journey, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much she’s grown. When I asked what she would say to the Carrie of three years ago, she laughed before answering:
“Girl, hold on. You got this. You can do it. You don’t know what’s coming but hold on. It’s going to be a wild ride.”
That ride now includes some remarkable opportunities. On the 4th of July she’ll be performing during the massive Salute to America 250 celebration in Washington, D.C.
Yet despite the growing stages and audiences, her message remains remarkably simple: hope.
“I’ve really been moving into a position of standing for hope and saying that hope is possible because it is possible and we should have hope.”
That spirit runs throughout Oh Beautiful.
“This EP … was made to both honor America in this historic 250th birthday milestone, as well as it is a very deep and vulnerable offering of my personal journey over the last several years,” she said. “It goes deeply into faith, into hope, into possibility, into reverence for the country, into opening up conversations.”
Oh Beautiful EP is available now wherever you stream music. For more information check out carriemanolakos.com.
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