Carrie Underwood Speaks Out About Inauguration Chaos

Carrie Underwood, renowned country music artist, experienced several obstacles during her rendition of “America the Beautiful” at the second inauguration for Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. The ceremony, which was initially planned to be held outdoors on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., was relocated indoors due to a significant dip in temperature, falling below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Underwood had specific requests for her performance, as per insiders who spoke to the DailyMail. “She employed a considerable security team, requested a handmade designer dress for her performance, and required a team of 20. Additionally, she requested tickets for her family and friends.” 

When the music unexpectedly ceased, Underwood, donned in her custom dress, managed the situation professionally. She prompted the crowd, “You know the words…help me out here.” The audience, with the likes of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, participated in the song, turning the technical issue into an unplanned a cappella performance.

Prior to the event, Underwood released a statement: “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.” In addition, she stated, “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.” 

However, it was reported that Underwood was discontented with the conditions at the venue. She was unhappy with her performance, primarily due to the limited space, which made her feel confined and uncomfortable. This restricted space, along with the overall setup, heightened her anxiety throughout the ceremony. 

Underwood, 41, reportedly felt that she was not accorded the same respect or recognition as performers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga received during their performances at previous high-profile events. She also shared her disappointment regarding her treatment, feeling rushed in and out of the venue without much consideration for her comfort or performance needs.

Insiders mentioned that this resulted in a brief but noticeable display of irritation from Underwood. She was particularly disheartened by the lack of a proper stage or platform for her performance, which was a stark contrast to the grand setups provided for other performers in similar circumstances.

The inauguration ceremony hosted a star-studded lineup, with performers like Lee Greenwood, the Village People, Nelly, and Rascal Flatts. The event attracted noteworthy people from various sectors, including tech industry leaders such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, alongside Trump’s cabinet selections and family members. Senator John Fetterman drew attention with his unique casual attire of a hoodie and shorts.

Underwood’s performance sparked significant conversations within the entertainment industry, particularly among the LGBTQ+ community, considering her previous support for same-sex marriage and her 2017 song “Love Wins.” Her latest album, “Denim & Rhinestones,” had achieved a top 10 position on the Billboard 200 chart.

In the days that followed the performance, Underwood refrained from discussing the event on social media. Her first post-performance update was a promotion of her upcoming “REFLECTION” concert special on Hulu and Disney Plus, featuring her 2018 song “Drinking Alone.” An insider clarified that despite the less-than-ideal conditions, Underwood is “proud of herself” for preventing the performance from becoming a total failure.

The event was compared to previous presidential inaugurations, notably Jennifer Lopez’s performance, where she combined “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” with a line of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and a part of her hit “Let’s Get Loud.” This contrast underscored the evolving nature of inaugural performances.

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