[2] She is from Indio, California, and graduated summa cum laude from Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus, with a bachelor's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy.

Referring to her mother's help, Carter told the Coachella Valley Weekly that she "wouldn't be the person I am today without her guiding me along the way".

[10] Carter said that when she was about 11, while cleaning her house, she was listening to "Battle Scars" by Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco.

[11][12] She finished high school early[3] and studied psychology at California State University, San Bernardino, Palm Desert campus.

She was planning on pursuing a master's degree next, but chose to first devote a year to her music, hoping to be able to make it a career.

[3] In 2016, Carter and her mother, who is also a singer, performed for the McCallum Theatre's Open Call Talent Competition, an annual event in Palm Desert.

[14][15] When Carter was 19, she decided to devote more time to her passion for music, so she quit her job as a gymnastics instructor and started busking.

After a couple Zoom meetings with American Idol producers, she decided to audition in Santa Barbara, and, as she puts it, "The rest is history.

"[16] Her music is inspired by the following artists: Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, Gracie Abrams, Lizzy McAlpine,[22] Carrie Underwood, My Chemical Romance, Paramore,[4] and Billie Eilish.

[24] Her favorite American Idol alums are: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta, Adam Lambert, and Jordin Sparks.

"[27] Wide Open Country reported that she made the song personal by adding complex runs to the melody and using her falsetto range.

"[32] In the Top 20, Carter sang a slowed-down version of "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance,[33] and Perry cried a little during the song.

I just kind of thought to myself, if somebody from my same background came to my school when I was a kid and basically told me that what I wanted to do in the future was possible from where I'm at, I might have done it sooner.

[2] Immediately after her win, Bryan said to Carter: "I think this is the first time the person that we thought was gonna be the winner actually was.

Parade Magazine wrote: "The bottom line is that any of the three could win it and be deserving of the honor, but my prediction is it should be Abi.

[17] On May 31, 2024, her first time returning home after her win, Carter sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and dropped the ceremonial first puck at the opening of a hockey game between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Milwaukee Admirals at the Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley.

[47][48] On June 20, she performed during the first intermission of the American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs for her hometown team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she also announced her first full concert would be held at Acrisure Arena on July 27.

[56][57] On August 10, she performed a cover of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" alongside Deadpool[58] for D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.

[8] After American Idol, she moved to Los Angeles, where she is writing songs and working in studios with writers.

[72] Jesus Reyes wrote: Carter explores the pains of growing up, fading relationships, and bittersweet memories that still linger and sting.

Each track is a chapter in Carter's emotional journey, capturing the poignancy of moving forward without letting go of the past.