Carrie Underwood never publicly acknowledged her relationship with "Gossip Girl" actor Chace Crawford when she was seeing him. Now that it's over, well, she's able to say what's done is done.

"It was completely mutual," she told the TV tabloid show Extra, addressing the break-up backstage during a Sunday taping of the American Idol special Idol Gives Back. She blamed the split, at least partially, on the stresses created by public interest in a relationship involving two high-profile figures.

"It's difficult while you're dating because people always make a lot bigger deal of things than they actually are," she said.

The couple did not break up face-to-face, or even via telephone. Instead, they parted ways via text message.

Meanwhile, Carrie sang a version of the George Michael pop hit "Praying For Time" during the taping, the Associated Press reported. Others appearing Sunday included Reese Witherspoon, Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Peyton and Eli Manning.

Idol Gives Back airs Thursday night on FOX.