Carrie Underwood is an eight-time Grammy winner, a three-time ACM entertainer of the year winner, an American Idol judge, an actress and a businesswoman — and she’s also a mom to two sons, Jacob and Isaiah. Thus, Underwood is well-acquainted with the scourge facing countless parents right now: Kids’ obsession with the phrase “6-7.” The trend has become so popular, in fact, that it was named Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year.
During a preview clip for American Idol‘s upcoming season, Underwood greets a contestant on the show, Uzziah Hutchinson, who works with kids and references the popular catchphrase.
“I bet you get a lot of funny stories,” Underwood says, with the contestant replying, “Right now, it’s ‘6-7.’”
Immediately, Underwood begins mimicking the hand gesture that goes with the catchphrase, which is wildly popular with school-age kids. “6-7” originally came from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla, in reference to NBA star LaMelo Ball’s height, but it’s mostly just become extremely popular for students to repeat — and an annoyance for many parents and teachers.
Fortunately, Underwood has a scheme to get the “6-7” craze to halt.
“Here’s how we stop that, Uzziah. I have the cure,” Underwood says. “Every time the kids say ‘6-7,’ we have to immediately say [singing], ‘5-3-0-9,’” she says — referencing Tommy Tutone’s Billboard Hot 100 top five hit “867-5309/Jenny” from 1982.
“That’ll work!” Uzziah said.
“And if we all band together and do that, it will stop,” Underwood insists. “It’s gonna take all of us.”
Season 24 of American Idol will launch on Jan. 26 — exactly 67 days from now — welcoming back Underwood as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. The music competition airs on ABC and streams on Hulu.
See the American Idol preview clip below:
