If you were watching TV back in December 2009, you might have caught a moment that felt like a fever dream in the best possible way. Picture this: three of the biggest names in Hollywood—Christina Applegate, Carrie Underwood, and Kristin Chenoweth—standing on a stage in matching bubblegum pink dresses. They had the hair. Oh, they had the hair. Massive, gravity-defying blonde beehives that would make any 1960s starlet weep with envy.
It was the Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special. At the time, it was just a fun variety segment. But looking back from 2026, that performance has aged like a fine wine, mostly because these three women have since become the literal embodiments of what it means to be a "survivor" in an industry that usually chews people up and spits them out.
Why that 60s Medley is still living rent-free in our heads
Honestly, it shouldn’t have worked as well as it did. You had a country queen, a Broadway legend, and a sitcom icon. On paper, that’s a chaotic Pinterest board. But when they launched into that "Girl Group Medley"—belting out "Be My Baby," "Leader of the Pack," and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"—something clicked.
Carrie Underwood was right in her vocal sweet spot, showing off that powerhouse range that won her American Idol just a few years prior. Kristin Chenoweth brought that operatic, sparkly energy she’s known for. And then there was Christina Applegate. People often forget she’s a Broadway vet too. She stared down a Tony nomination for Sweet Charity back in 2005, so she wasn't just "the actress" in the group. She was keeping up with two of the best vocalists in the world.
The harmonies were tight. The choreography was charmingly retro. But the reason it keeps popping up on TikTok and YouTube in 2026 isn't just the music. It’s the sheer joy on their faces. You can tell they weren't just hitting marks for a paycheck. They were having a blast.
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Christina Applegate: A different kind of spotlight in 2026
Since that pink-dress moment, Christina Applegate’s life has changed in ways no one could have predicted. We all know the story by now, but it bears repeating because she’s handled it with such a raw, "tell-it-like-it-is" attitude.
In 2021, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) while filming the final season of Dead to Me. She’s been incredibly open about how "sucky" it is—her words. No sugar-coating. She’s talked about the weight gain, the canes, and the fact that she can’t walk the stairs in her own house anymore.
Life in the "Alien Cup" era
Recently, she shared a video on social media from her bed, laughing with her hairstylist while trying to swallow a "vegan omega" pill. She joked about using an "alien cup" because she can't carry glass anymore. It’s that kind of vulnerability that makes her so relatable. She isn't trying to be a "warrior" for the cameras; she’s just trying to get through the day with her sense of humor intact.
While she’s stepped away from on-camera acting, her voice is as sharp as ever. There’s been talk of her doing voice work for a Married... with Children animated revival, which would be the ultimate full-circle moment for fans of Kelly Bundy.
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Carrie Underwood: From Idol to Icon
Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood has basically become the CEO of Country Music. As we head into the 2026 season of American Idol, she’s back on the judges' panel alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. It’s kind of wild to think she’s now the one sitting in the chair, deciding the fate of kids who weren't even born when she won the show.
She hasn't slowed down. She just wrapped a massive residency at Resorts World in Las Vegas and is set to headline the Tanglewood Popular Artist Series this summer. But even for her, things have shifted.
Carrie’s been vocal lately about her "longevity" mindset. In her early 20s, she admitted she worked out to be a certain size. Now? She’s working out so she can keep running around on stage in those heels without her knees giving out. She’s turned her fitness obsession into a whole brand with the Fit52 app and her CALIA line. She’s basically a walking masterclass in how to manage a 20-year career without burning out.
Kristin Chenoweth: Still the Queen of the stage
Then you have the pocket-sized powerhouse, Kristin Chenoweth. She recently took a gamble on a massive new Broadway musical, The Queen of Versailles. Even though it had a shorter run than many expected—closing in early 2026—Kristin handled the news like a pro. She posted a video saying she was proud of the art they made, acknowledging that getting new shows off the ground is "getting harder and harder."
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She’s 57 now, but she still has that "Glinda energy." Whether she’s mentoring kids at her Broadway Bootcamp or singing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" on her latest album, she remains the glue that connects the theater world to mainstream pop culture.
The connection that matters
What links Christina Applegate, Carrie Underwood, and Kristin Chenoweth isn't just a 17-year-old TV special. It’s the fact that they’ve all had to reinvent themselves.
- Christina reinvented her career after a double mastectomy in 2008 and then again after her MS diagnosis.
- Carrie moved from "contestant" to "mogul," navigating the tricky waters of celebrity politics and the grueling demands of a Vegas residency.
- Kristin continues to be a producer and a mentor, ensuring the next generation of "theatre nerds" has a place to go.
What we can learn from them
If you're looking for a takeaway, it’s basically this: Resilience isn't about never falling; it's about how you act once you're on the ground. Christina Applegate falling on the set of Dead to Me and then finishing the season is resilience. Carrie Underwood shifting her fitness goals from "thin" to "strong" is resilience. Kristin Chenoweth seeing a $22 million show close early and saying "I'm proud of what we did" is resilience.
How to keep the inspiration going
If you're a fan of these three, there are a few things you can do right now to support their current "era":
- Watch "Dead to Me" on Netflix: If you haven't seen Christina Applegate’s performance in the final season, go watch it. Knowing what she was going through physically while filming makes her performance even more mind-blowing.
- Check out the Fit52 App: If you want to see how Carrie Underwood actually trains for those high-energy shows, her app is surprisingly down-to-earth.
- Support New Broadway: Kristin Chenoweth is a huge advocate for new theater. If you’re in New York, go see a show that isn't a revival.
- Revisit the 2009 Medley: Honestly, go find the clip on YouTube. It’s a three-minute shot of pure, unadulterated dopamine.
These women remind us that the beehives might come down and the pink dresses might be packed away, but the talent—and the grit—stays.