On January 20, 2025, at the inauguration ceremony for President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., country music artist Carrie Underwood encountered various difficulties during her rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Initially planned to be held outdoors, the venue was changed to an indoor setting due to the frigid weather conditions, with temperatures dipping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
As per DailyMail.com sources, Underwood had explicit performance-related demands. These included a strong security team, a custom-made designer dress, and a 20-person support crew. Additionally, she also requested tickets for her loved ones.
When the pre-recorded music that was accompanying her suddenly cut off, Underwood handled the situation with professional ease. She urged the crowd, “You know the words……..help me out here,” transforming the technical failure into an unplanned a cappella performance with the audience — which included Joe Biden and Kamala Harris — joining in the singing.
Prior to the event, Underwood issued 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 further expressed, “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, sources revealed that Underwood was not content with the venue conditions. She was unhappy with her performance, mainly because the restricted space given to her made her feel confined and uncomfortable. This discomfort, along with the overall event setup, increased her anxiety levels during the event.
The 41-year-old singer was reportedly discontent with the lack of acknowledgment, respect, or appreciation she received, in comparison to performers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga at previous high-profile events. She also voiced frustration about her treatment, feeling rushed in and out of the venue without proper regard for her comfort or performance logistics.
Insiders reported that this led to a brief but noticeable display of annoyance afterward. Underwood, who is used to performing in large arenas with a stage dedicated solely to her, was particularly upset by the absence of a proper stage or platform for her performance, which was in stark contrast to the grand setups provided for others in similar situations.
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’s casual attire of a hoodie and shorts also caught attention.
The performance sparked significant conversation within the entertainment community, particularly among the LGBTQ+ audience, given Underwood’s previous support for same-sex marriage and her 2017 song “Love Wins.” Her latest album, “Denim & Rhinestones,” had made it to the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In the days following the performance, Underwood did not comment on the event on social media. Her first post-performance post promoted her upcoming “REFLECTION” concert special on Hulu and Disney Plus, set to her 2018 song “Drinking Alone.” A source clarified that despite the performance not going as planned, Underwood was “proud of herself” for preventing it from becoming a complete disaster.
Her performance was compared to previous presidential inaugurations, notably Jennifer Lopez’s performance, who intertwined “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” with a line from the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and part of her hit “Let’s Get Loud.”