Why Carrie Underwood Is Raising Her Kids on a Farm

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Carrie Underwood wants her kids to have an all-American childhood.

Carrie Underwood spends a lot of time in Los Angeles judging on American Idol, but she and her husband, Mike Fisher, are raising their sons, Isaiah, 11, and Jacob, 7, on a large farm in Tennessee.

You know, my life took a really unexpected turn. I grew up on a farm, and suddenly I was performing on stage for huge crowds, constantly traveling – a new city almost every day! It didn’t take me long to realize that this whirlwind existence wasn’t… well, it wasn’t real life, in the everyday sense. It was amazing, but definitely a different world.

She said with genuine excitement, “I absolutely love performing – singing, writing, and just being creative in general. Singing especially makes me incredibly happy, though I realize that world isn’t always grounded in reality. Most importantly, I want my family to understand that.”

That’s why Carrie felt prepared to take control and protect her sons from unwanted attention.

She emphasized the importance of having a very different home life. They’ve made it clear that’s a priority. She wants her kids to see her actively involved in their daily routines – getting them ready for school, making breakfast, and packing their lunches.

The eight-time Grammy winner also spends ample quality time with her sons and husband of 15 years.

We usually eat dinner together at the table five nights a week, and I’m the one who does the cooking,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not sure how it tastes, but we always have enough to eat!”

As much as I adore performing and being on stage, honestly, nothing compares to the simple joys of life on my farm. Whether it’s a big project or just a small daily chore, being on my 400 acres is where I truly feel at home. It just fills my cup in a way nothing else can!

She shared with On the Red Carpet last month that she enjoys a variety of hobbies. She loves to crochet, watch birds, bake sourdough bread, and brew her own kombucha. She also grows hot peppers and makes her own fermented hot sauce.

She explained that the glamorous world of entertainment isn’t real life. Real life, she said, is about everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, and gardening – things she actually enjoys.

For a closer look at more celebs who’ve found a home outside of Hollywood, keep reading.

Following a serious heart attack in 2019, the actor known for The Mask of Zorro returned to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, to dedicate himself to performing on stage.

In March 2026, Antonio told The Times that the experience completely changed his perspective. Confronting his own mortality, he realized his true identity was that of an actor.

Okay, so after all his Broadway glory – and yes, I still obsess over that Tony nomination! – he’s not just sitting around! He actually owns a theater now, which is amazing, and he’s really involved in everything happening around here. It’s like he’s giving back, and honestly, it just makes me love him even more!

He went on, saying he’d never felt happier. Staying connected to his community – his roots, his neighbors, and the people he grew up with – meant everything to him. That connection hadn’t faded with time; in fact, it had only grown stronger.

After 19 seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 following accusations of a negative and harmful workplace. These claims led to an internal investigation, the firing of several producers, and significant public criticism.

Ellen made a comeback with her last standup comedy special, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the special aired, she announced her plans to retire from Hollywood.

During her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, the comedian told the audience, according to SFGate, that she plans to retire after releasing a Netflix special. She stated, “This is the last time you’re going to see me.”

Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have settled in the Cotswolds. Ellen shared with Richard Bacon in July 2025, during a conversation at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, that they decided to remain there after Donald Trump was reelected in November 2024.

She enthusiastically described the English countryside as “absolutely beautiful,” telling the BBC that its charm was unlike anything she’d seen before. She particularly appreciated the picturesque villages, towns, and architecture, noting it represented a more relaxed and uncomplicated way of life.

“It’s just a nicer place,” Ellen explained. “The animals are well cared for, and everyone is so friendly. We really love living here. We moved in November, which wasn’t the best timing, but I finally got to experience snow! Portia brought her horses with her, and I have chickens. We even had sheep for a couple of weeks.”

Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, decided to move to Australia partly to focus on her ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream. She explained on Today with Jenna & Friends that her business had initially focused on selling to other businesses, like airlines and cruise ships, and she’d been traveling to Australia frequently because that’s where her ice cream was being made. She grew to love the country with each visit.

She also recognized Australia as a strong market for her product, noting that Australia, along with America and New Zealand, are the top three countries for ice cream consumption.

Ultimately, Tyra, along with her son York (whose father is Erik Asla) and boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, made the move, calling Australia “a dream come true” for her and her family.

Eva Longoria, best known for her role on Desperate Housewives, has moved from Los Angeles and now splits her time between Mexico and Spain with her husband, José Bastón, and their son, Santiago. She explained to Marie Claire that while she lived in Los Angeles for most of her adult life, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that change. Issues like homelessness and taxes contributed to her decision, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table podcast that her move wasn’t politically motivated, despite happening after the presidential election. She explained that work commitments, including filming Land of Women in Spain and Searching for Mexico, led to her spending extended periods abroad, and she simply preferred to continue living there. She feels fortunate to have the ability to move, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who don’t have the same opportunity. Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, with recent roles in Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.

Actor Richard Gere has relocated from Chicago to Spain with his family. He shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2024 that his wife, Alejandra Silva, who is from Galicia, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is thrilled about the opportunity for their young sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, with his ex-wife, Carey Lowell. The whole family seems to be enjoying the change. In a January 2025 interview with Elle España, Gere stated they are happier than ever and are really embracing this new chapter in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have settled in Paris. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, they previously spent six months of each year traveling between the U.S. and France. They recently made the move permanent so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage to The-Dream), and sons Isaiah and Kenna (with Pokora) – could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a wonderful opportunity for them. She told TopMob that her kids are thriving and have learned French, and she enjoys a balanced lifestyle with daytime activities and work during the evenings. She describes the family’s life in Paris as happy and healthy.

Honestly, I’m so over the constant speculation about why I left Los Angeles! I finally wanted to clear things up and share a bit about what things were really like back in the day. It’s frustrating because so much of my work got lost in the noise of the paparazzi and all the drama when I was younger. I really wish that wasn’t the focus. It felt like that whole side of things just spiraled out of control, and I needed to step away so people would actually see the work I was doing, not just the headlines. That’s why I decided to move abroad – first to London, then Dubai, and even opening some beach clubs in Greece. It wasn’t just about a change of scenery, it was about reclaiming my life and focusing on what truly mattered.

Lindsay Lohan admitted she worried she might never find love, wondering if it would ever happen for her. She realized she needed to focus on herself before things started falling into place and she could embrace opportunities she truly wanted.

Eventually, she did find love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

The couple currently lives in Dubai, but Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind. She’s continued to star in films like Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.

I’ve been following Josh’s career for years, and I was really interested to hear about his decision to step away from Hollywood. He explained it wasn’t just about location, but a whole mindset. He told People that being surrounded by people constantly talking about movies just narrows your focus, and that’s never been his thing. He always wanted a life filled with diverse experiences and people, something to challenge him and keep things interesting – he really called that ‘the spice of life’! So, he, his wife Tamsin Egerton, and their four kids made the move to the Hampshire countryside in England. He recently told The Guardian that time flies with a big family, and while life might seem slower, he’s actually focusing on what truly matters. And it’s not like he’s stopped acting altogether – he’s still been working on some great projects like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap. It’s just refreshing to see someone prioritize a fuller life, even with a successful career.

If you haven’t been following social media, you might be surprised to learn that Jesse no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the star of A Real Pain revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse lives a relatively normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and son, Banner. He explained that he avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the industry, which helps keep him grounded. His wife is a teacher, and his son isn’t even a big movie fan, further distancing him from the pressures of Hollywood and allowing him to avoid constantly worrying about his standing in the industry.

I’ve been a fan of Eliza Dushku ever since her days on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On. I was so impressed to learn back in September 2024 that she’s become a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist and is continuing to train as a mental health professional. It’s amazing to see her using her platform to help others in such a meaningful way!

She explained to Boston Magazine that she was able to change her life’s path to prioritize her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced – the peace and renewed energy she felt – because she now clearly understood her true calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing a character on The Flintstones shared that she moved to Ireland with her son, Clay, in January 2025. She’s currently working to become an Irish citizen because of her family’s roots there. While she mentioned recent political events as a factor in her decision to move, she hasn’t dismissed the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

In a TikTok video, she shared that she misses her children, friends, and her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in her current country and says her family will think about returning to America once it’s a safe and equal place for everyone.

Actress Evangeline Lilly, known for her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp, has announced she’s stepping away from acting for an unspecified amount of time after a two-decade career.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her dreams. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a path less traveled – one that doesn’t necessarily lead to wealth and fame – can be daunting, embracing her true purpose brings a deep sense of fulfillment instead of fear.

However, she’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I could see myself going back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since starring in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, the actor best known for The Vampire Diaries has been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.

Ian, who has two children with his wife Nikki Reed, took a break from acting over four years ago to focus on raising his family and developing his businesses. He was also working to release two documentaries, Kiss the Ground (2020) and Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shared this with TopMob News in November 2023.

Looking ahead, the actor said he plans to become a rancher and focus on building lasting brands – including his bourbon and wellness company. He’s deeply committed to regenerative agriculture and healthy soil practices, which are central to his and his family’s lifestyle. He explained that this future is his true calling, and it’s the reason he’s so passionate about these things – it’s simply who he is and who he’s determined to be.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy shared with guest Anna Faris that she had stopped acting a few years prior. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette recently shared that she regrets many of the acting roles she took earlier in her career, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained that she often feels frustrated and unfulfilled by the parts she played, describing them as cheesy and embarrassing. Having worked on shows from the age of 13 to 21, she was already self-conscious about her work by age 15, feeling it wasn’t something her friends admired.

Despite her previous experiences, she hasn’t ruled out returning to acting. She explained to TopMob News in October 2022 that writing her book helped her consider acting in a new light, free from past pressures. She believes she might be open to it again, but only if she were to write a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, focus on the charities we care about, and even wear the Queen’s tiaras would make leaving Hollywood completely worthwhile.

Similar to Grace Kelly’s transition from Hollywood to Monaco, Meghan Markle left her life and acting career in Toronto, including her role on the show Suits, to join the British Royal Family. Now that she and Prince Harry have stepped down as senior royals and live in California, Meghan is returning to professional life. This includes a production deal with Netflix, where she released the 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan and will launch a lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, in 2025. She has also started a podcast and her own brand, As Ever.

After starring in over 40 films since she began her career with 1994’s The Mask, the actress really needed a rest when she finished filming Annie in 2014.

She told Gwyneth Paltrow that she realized she wanted a different lifestyle. After years of intense work and filmmaking, she felt burnt out. She explained that making a movie is incredibly demanding – you work long hours every day for months and have no personal time.

Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing – she followed up her successful 2013 book, The Body Book, with The Longevity Book in 2016 – and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. While she told InStyle in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seems she might be open to returning for at least one more project.

Jamie Foxx explained to TopMob News how they convinced Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action. He said they practically pleaded with her, getting down on their knees to ask her to do it. “We love her, and we’ve been waiting for her to return – it’s going to be amazing!”

The actor stated he wouldn’t return to the show after completing his five years on Empire. When Extra asked Terrence Howard about his plans before the sixth and final season aired in 2019, he said he was retiring from acting, explaining, “I’m finished pretending.”

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his intention to retire from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than repeating past performances.

You know, despite everything, I’m thrilled to see Michael Howard continuing to work! He’s popped up in some great things recently, like the TV series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix film Shirley. And the best part? He’s got a bunch of exciting projects on the horizon, so we’ll definitely be seeing more of him!

After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, the 21-year-old actor told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been acting since he was a child, but simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.

Jack isn’t a child star anymore, and some of the initial excitement has faded. He explained that now that acting could become a career, it felt different. “Before, it was just something fun to do with friends, a summer hobby,” he said. He still likes acting, but worries that making a living from it will change how he feels about it. It’s not that he dislikes it, just that it’s not his ultimate goal.”

After taking six years off, Jack returned to acting in 2020 with a role in the BBC series Out of Her Mind. Since then, he’s also been in films such as Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.

When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, participated in a virtual table read of the film in September 2020, she was already a seasoned actress. She married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, and they made a plan to manage their careers and raise their children, Owen and Greta, by taking turns working. Greta is now a singer who performs as Frankie Cosmos.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children when it’s her turn to work. While she briefly appeared in her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 film, The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her New York City store, Blue Tree.

When he was most famous for movies like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor took a break from filmmaking after his wife died of breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to focus on raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not appearing in a live-action film since 1997 – he even turned down a small role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake – Rick remains a beloved figure, as shown by the strong reaction to news reports of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will soon see him return to the screen alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot, Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, actress Drew Barrymore suggested she was considering stepping back from acting. She told Vogue that most roles required intimate scenes, which she wasn’t comfortable with. While confident in her relationship, she felt any potentially compromising situation needed to be worth the risk, stating that if you’re going to face a difficult challenge, the reward must be truly exceptional.

After her son, Martin, joined his sister, Louisanna, in 2014, she firmly decided to step away from acting. She told Us Weekly in 2016 that she felt like an outsider in the film industry and was now fully focused on being a mom. She also mentioned she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting as a hobby, explaining, “I think that’s mainly why I stopped [acting].”

She’d built a successful career with roles in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those experiences, the Australian actress started to feel like it was time for a change.

Turning 45, I started thinking about trying something completely new and challenging,” she shared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018. “I had a good idea of what my acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so I decided to leave acting and start my own business instead.

Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete – she just needed to finish one last piece.

I spoke with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, and told him I wouldn’t participate in a fifth season because I had decided to stop acting. He was very understanding and supportive, and we had a good talk. Surprisingly, he ended up writing me into five episodes anyway.

It’s understandable why, after winning three Oscars, an actor might decide to retire. Following his sixth Academy Award nomination for his 2017 film, Phantom Thread, Daniel Day-Lewis announced through his representative that he was retiring from acting. The statement expressed his gratitude to colleagues and fans over the years, and clarified that this was a personal decision, with no further comments to be made.

Just as Daniel Day-Lewis had announced his retirement from acting, a new project drew him back in. In October 2024, Focus Features revealed he would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also be directing.

After appearing on Good Luck Charlie, Bridgit Mendler decided to focus on her education. She started by getting a master’s degree from MIT, then earned a PhD there. She didn’t stop there, and also went on to study law at Harvard Law School.

On top of everything else, Bridgit founded Northwood Space, a startup focused on building ground stations for sending and receiving data from satellites. She became the company’s CEO in February 2023.

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2026-03-27 22:50