Carrie Underwood recently broke her social media silence following a performance at the inauguration of President Donald Trump that was marred by technical difficulties.
The country music star, 41, who is set to appear as a judge on *American Idol*, took to her Instagram Story on Thursday
but made a pointed decision not to address the performance.
Instead, she used the platform to promote her upcoming concert special, *REFLECTION*, set to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus.
Underwood accompanied the post with a clip from the concert and the caption,
“TOMORROW! Check out the #REFLECTION concert special on @hulu and #HuluOnDisneyPlus! #CUinVegas [gem emoji].” The post was set to her 2018 hit “Drinking Alone.”
Underwood’s appearance at the inauguration was notable as she was invited to perform “America the Beautiful” as President Trump was sworn in for his second term. While her performance choice proved polarizing, it quickly became overshadowed by an unexpected technical glitch. The music failed to play at the start, leaving Underwood and the audience in an awkward moment of silence. Nevertheless, the singer quickly adapted, choosing to sing the song a cappella and encouraging the crowd to join in.
The controversy surrounding Underwood’s participation in the event had been brewing prior to her performance. Many fans were critical of her decision to perform at a Republican-led inauguration, and social media backlash quickly followed, with even fellow celebrities like Mandy Moore seemingly throwing shade at the country singer. Despite the backlash, Underwood later spoke publicly about her performance, expressing gratitude for the opportunity in a statement shared with *USA Today*. She called it an honor to be part of such a historic event, emphasizing her belief in unity for the country and her hope for a positive future.
Yet, Underwood did not directly address the controversy surrounding the performance after the fact, opting instead to focus on her career, including promoting her concert special. Her silence on the matter was striking, especially as her performance had been anything but smooth. The technical issue—where the music abruptly stopped shortly after it began—added an unexpected challenge to an already charged environment.
Sources close to Underwood revealed that she was frustrated with the conditions surrounding her performance. One insider claimed that the country star felt she was not given the same level of respect as other high-profile performers at the inauguration, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. According to this source, Underwood felt “cramped and uncomfortable” due to the limited space she was given to perform and was dissatisfied with the way she was ushered in and out of the event. The indoor setting, coupled with a less-than-ideal performance space, contributed to her anxiety and discomfort.
While Underwood’s performance wasn’t perfect, those close to her still expressed pride in her ability to salvage the moment. Despite her dissatisfaction with the technical hiccup and the environment, an insider remarked that Underwood felt proud of herself for handling the situation as best as she could under the circumstances.
Further details surrounding her performance preparations also emerged, with sources revealing that Underwood had specific demands in place before agreeing to perform at the inauguration. She reportedly had high expectations, including security arrangements, a designer dress, and accommodations for her family and friends. Additionally, she made it known that Trump personally invited her to perform, which seemed to add a layer of exclusivity to the performance for her.
Despite the mixed reactions to her involvement in the inauguration, one source stated that Underwood was undeterred by the backlash. The singer, known for her strong independence, reportedly stopped reading negative comments after years of learning to disregard public opinion. The insider suggested that the performance would ultimately benefit Underwood’s career, with expectations of a boost in record sales and potential promotional opportunities as a result.
Carrie Underwood’s response to the inauguration performance and the surrounding controversy highlights her ability to focus on her career and maintain her confidence in the face of public scrutiny. While the performance itself may have been fraught with challenges, Underwood’s continued success and resilience demonstrate that she remains a force in both the music industry and the broader public eye.
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