Carrie Underwood Breaks Silence on Inauguration Chaos

Country music star Carrie Underwood faced a series of challenges during her performance of “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s second inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025, at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event, originally planned for outdoors, was moved inside due to temperatures dropping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to sources who spoke to DailyMail.com, Underwood had specific requirements for the performance. “She hired an army of security, was requesting a handmade designer dress for the performance, and demanded she be allowed a team of 20. She, of course, demanded tickets for her family and friends on top of that as well.” 

When the accompanying music abruptly stopped, Underwood, wearing the custom-designed gown, demonstrated professional composure, encouraging the crowd by saying, “You know the words……..help me out here.” The audience, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, joined in, turning the technical mishap into an impromptu a cappella performance

Before the event, Underwood had 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.” She added, “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” 

Sources disclosed that Underwood was notably upset about the conditions at the venue. She was dissatisfied with her performance, primarily because the limited space she was allocated made her feel cramped and uneasy. This lack of space, coupled with the overall setup, heightened her anxiety throughout the event. 

Underwood, 41, reportedly felt that she did not receive the same recognition, respect, or admiration that performers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga had been given during their appearances at previous high-profile events. She also expressed frustration over how she was treated, feeling as though she was hurried in and out of the venue with little consideration for her comfort or performance needs. 

According to insiders, this led to a brief but visible display of irritation afterward. Underwood, accustomed to performing in expansive arenas with a stage solely dedicated to her, was particularly disheartened by the absence of a proper stage or platform for her performance, which stood in stark contrast to the grand setups provided for others in similar circumstances.

The inauguration ceremony featured a star-studded lineup, including Lee Greenwood, the Village People, Nelly, and Rascal Flatts. The event drew prominent figures from various sectors, with tech industry leaders Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk seated alongside Trump’s cabinet picks and family members. Senator John Fetterman attracted attention for his distinctive casual attire of a hoodie and shorts.

The performance generated significant discussion within the entertainment community, particularly from the LGBTQ+ audience, given Underwood’s previous support for same-sex marriage and her 2017 song “Love Wins.” Her most recent album, “Denim & Rhinestones,” had reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In the days following the performance, Underwood maintained social media silence regarding the event. Her first post afterward promoted her upcoming “REFLECTION” concert special on Hulu and Disney Plus, set to the tune of her 2018 song “Drinking Alone.” A source clarified that although the performance “wasn’t ideal,” Underwood remains “proud of herself” that she was “able to save it from being a total disaster.” 

The event drew comparisons to previous presidential inaugurations, particularly Jennifer Lopez’s performance, who mixed “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” with a line of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and part of her hit “Let’s Get Loud.” The contrast highlighted the evolving nature of inaugural performances. 

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