Carrie Underwood Didn’t Feel as Respected or Admired as Previous Performers at Inauguration, Source Says
American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” at the 60th Presidential Inauguration Day Ceremony. Underwood caught flack for her choice to perform for President Donald Trump. And she appeared to have technical difficulties ahead of her performance. Here’s what an insider said about Underwood feeling “cramped and uncomfortable” during her acapella song.
Carrie Underwood allegedly felt ‘dissatisfied’ with her Inauguration Day performance
Carrie Underwood shocked many of her fans by choosing to sing at the second inauguration of Donald Trump. Underwood sang “America the Beautiful” inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol for Trump, Trump’s family, and other notable politicians.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood shared in a statement to People. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
While it seemed like Underwood was awaiting a music cue to begin before she started singing, technical difficulties arose. After a few moments of awkward silence, she decided to sing the song acapella. Before starting, she told the audience, “If you know the words, help me out here!”
An insider told DailyMail.com that Underwood felt “dissatisfied” with the performance setup. “Carrie was dissatisfied with her performance at the event, primarily due to the limited space she was given, which left her feeling cramped and uncomfortable,” the source alleged. “Her anxiety was high throughout the performance, and she felt that she was not afforded the same level of respect or admiration that previous performers, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, had received.”
Another source said Underwood felt “annoyed” that the technical difficulties took away from her moment.
“Though it isn’t her day, and she just wanted to add to the day and not upstage anything, she was annoyed of how it turned out,” they alleged.
The country singer allegedly had over-the-top demands for Inauguration Day
Carrie Underwood felt honored to perform at the second inauguration of Donald Trump. Despite the backlash she received, she wanted the performance to go perfectly. An insider told DailyMail.com that Underwood was a “diva” when it came to her demands, with the singer allegedly telling those around her that Trump personally called her to ask her to perform.
“She hired an army of security, was requesting a handmade designer dress for the performance, and demanded she be allowed a team of 20,” the insider alleged. “She, of course, demanded tickets for her family and friends on top of that as well.”
Underwood’s husband, Mike Fisher, and their oldest son, Isaiah, appeared at the event. The father and son nearly matched, as they both wore suit jackets, white button-ups, and red ties.
Ariana Grande and Mandy Moore threw shade over Carrie Underwood’s performance
Carrie Underwood didn’t just experience backlash from fans over her choice to perform at the inauguration. Mandy Moore and Ariana Grande threw subtle shade toward Underwood online.
Moore and Grande “liked” an Instagram post from writer and social media star Evan Ross Katz showing Kamala Harris behind Underwood at the ceremony. Harris appeared to look at Underwood with concern. “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (‘Girl, find the note’) watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling Inauguration,” the post’s caption reads.
In response to Trump’s anti-LGBTQ and transgender agenda, Grande reposted a statement from Advocates for Trans Equality. “Today is a tough day for our community,” the statement reads. “The incoming administration campaigned on attacking trans people’s lives, healthcare, and dignity, and we’re bracing ourselves for what these extremists will try to do next. No matter what comes, we will protect each other.”
American Idol Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.
