Despite fan backlash, Carrie Underwood just took the stage at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
On January 20, Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” in the Capitol rotunda, the ceremony having been moved indoors for the first time in 40 years due to cold temperatures. Dressed in a satin mock turtleneck dress, the former American Idol winner sang the hymn a cappella due technical difficulties, according to the broadcast. Underwood took the difficulties in stride, however, performing in front of outgoing President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She shook Biden’s hand immediately following the performance before stepping over to shake hands with Trump and Vance. She did not shake Harris’s hand.
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Though President Biden’s inauguration featured artists like Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, and President Obama has been honored with performances by greats like Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Kelly Clarkson, President Trump struggled to book high-profile performers for his first inauguration in 2017. At the time, America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho sang the national anthem while musicians like Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down, and The Piano Guys took the stage prior to the ceremony.
Carrie Underwood’s decision to take part in this year’s festivities sparked backlash among a faction of her fans, with one of her stan accounts rebranding their entire account to celebrate “CMA and ACM award winner Megan Moroney.”
“She disappointed the entire generation z…she was our first country queen,” the account formerly known as Carrie Underwood Charts replied to one X.com post about her scheduled performance. “Carrie sales have declined and will be none now she lost the support of lgbtq and poc community who loved her.”
Carrie Underwood explained her choice in a statement on January 13. “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 told 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.”
