Having always been a fan of the original Sound of Music, country phenom Carrie Underwood understands what is at stake taking on the iconic role of Maria in the upcoming remake of the Julie Andrews classic. Though Underwood has received some backlash online, she hopes audiences will cut her and the rest of the cast some slack.

"It definitely has been something that has been on my mind and in my world," the "Blown Away" singer confessed in a recent interview with Reuters. "I don't think people would be upset if they went to a Broadway show of The Sound of Music (and it was someone other than Julie Andrews). We are just providing a different way to see it and fall in love with it."

Underwood urges fans to let the upcoming version to exist on its own, pleading for those who love the original to not consider this one a "re-make."

"I hope people realize that we are not re-creating the movie. This is not a re-make. I hear that word and it makes me cringe. The movie does not need to be re-made. I can't wait to show my kids the movie."

See Underwood take on the von Trapp's singing governess in The Sound of Music,set to premiere live Thursday, December 5 on NBC.