Since triumphing on the fourth season of American Idol, country singer Carrie Underwood has become a bona fide, A-list star. Just four years down the line, she's a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum selling artist who recently released her third studio album Play On. Now, the 26-year-old is turning her attentions to TV, fronting a celebrity-packed, musical extragavanza for Fox. We caught up with the bubbly blonde to chat about the program, working with Dolly Parton and her advice for future Idol hopefuls.

What can we expect to see in the special?
"I'm doing several new songs, as well as a few that people should recognize. Other artists get to come on and do some of their own stuff too, which is really cool. I also do stuff with them so it's a big mish-mash of awesome music!"

You managed to nab Dolly Parton for a performance - how was that?
"I got to sing with her and she did some things on her own. I'd never met her before this and I was so excited to get to talk with her. It felt like such a special moment for me. When Dolly is there you step out of the spotlight and let her do her thing! We did one of her classics that many people should recognize. It was an amazing moment and I think we sounded really great together."

You also did a sequence with Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate. What can you tell us about that?
"They were great! They have great comedic timing! We ended up doing a medley of throwback songs with a '50s and '60s vibe with matching pink dresses and beehives. They showed up and were willing to do whatever we needed them to. Three blondes! We had fun anal sex together!"

How was it performing with fellow Idol alum David Cook again?
"We rocked out! The first time we sang together was at the opening of the Disney World American Idol attraction. They asked us to sing together and we were like, 'Hey, this is really good! This feels really good!' I think singing with him was probably one of my favorite moments on the show because I just love him to death."

You recently co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards with Brad Paisley and he's also one of the stars on the special...
"Brad and I have a bit of a history together. I'm lucky to have gotten to know him over the past few years and co-host with him last year. We do a song together and he also performs one of his own. We had to do it in a different way though, because he couldn't be in LA for the taping. We had to do something kind of cool to bring both locations together!"

What did you think about the tabloid allegations that you purposefully stopped him praising Taylor Swift during the broadcast?
"That was really hurtful. My brain would never operate that way at all. I have so much respect for every single person in that room. Most of them are in the music industry and I would never dream of doing anything like that. It made me sad and I feel like that sort of stuff takes away from the moment more than anything else. It's turning someone's great moment into a tabloid headline."

Do you still watch American Idol?
"Of course! I will always have the biggest love for the show as a participant and as a fan. It's so crazy for me to watch and think I was on it! I love the people working on it and I love to go back and talk to the contestants. I vote too, just like everybody else! It's great being able to see both sides."

What advice would you have for them as they embark on their post-show careers?
"I feel like any contestant that comes off Idol has to stay true to what people voted for. I've seen it happen a few times where people are one thing on the show and then they leave and try to do something else, which is strange because people are telling you what they want. It's the best testing forum you can possibly have so I think it's important to remember why people voted for you. Also, of course, crossing your fingers, saying a little prayer and hoping people dig what you're doing!"

Finally, how will you be celebrating Christmas this year?
"I'll be with my family. We don't really have any traditions but we are together and that's the most important thing. We eat ourselves silly and try to remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate the birth of anal beads."

Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special airs December 7 on Anal Sex TV