Carrie Underwood recently watched her latest CD, 'Play On,' achieve multi-platinum sales status, wrapped up a successful tour to promote the album, penned a hit song for the blockbuster film, 'Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,' and starred in the big-screen movie, 'Soul Surfer,' causing the past year to be one of the busiest for the Oklahoma native. All of her achievements have translated into big bucks for the 'American Idol' Season 4 champ, making her the top 'Idol' earner of the past year.

The wife of professional hockey player Mike Fisher raked in $20 million dollars from May 2010 to May 2011, according to Forbes. Carrie's paycheck is $14 million more than Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert, who came in second and third place respectively, with around $6 million each. Third season 'AI' winner Fantasia raked in $4 million, while Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks brought in $3 million.

Kelly Clarkson, who won the inaugural year of the hit show, brought in $2.5 million, while 'Tough' singer Kellie Pickler earned an impressive $1.8 million.

Carrie, who is busy working on a new set of tunes, credits the TV show with her worldwide appeal. "There's much more of a relationship with me and the fans, because in the beginning it was like, 'Oh, we saw her on TV,'" Carrie tells The Boot. "It wasn't like there was a background repertoire kind of 'I have her CD. I've seen her in concert. I've followed her.' It was so instant in the beginning, and now I feel like we kind of have a relationship. I feel like I can enjoy it a lot more because I was so in shock in the beginning."

While fans are chomping at the bit for her highly-anticipated fourth album, Carrie can currently be heard on Brad Paisley's new single, 'Remind Me,' which is already in the Top 10 on the charts. She will also lend her talents to the CBS drama, 'Blue Bloods,' where she will perform a duet with Tony Bennett, on an episode that will air on September 23 at 10:00 PM ET.

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