Carrie Underwood doesn’t shy away from the spotlight amid controversy.
The 41-year-old Muskogee, Oklahoma native took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday with a clip promoting a collaboration with Cody Johnson, after receiving a mixed response when she announced she would sing America the Beautiful at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Some praised Underwood for responding to the opportunity, while others were upset and saw the exit as tacit support for the controversial incoming president.
Underwood did not acknowledge the comments in either direction as she promoted a new project with Johnson.
‘I’m excited to share something with you all tomorrow!’ the artists said in a joint statement. “YouTube: Set your reminders for 10am CT so you don’t miss them”.
The Grammy-winning country singer was seen with Johnson in the clip performing I’m Gonna Love You, their collaboration that was released last fall.
Carrie Underwood, 41, took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday after receiving a mixed response when she announced she would sing America the Beautiful at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
![Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with slated performance at Donald Trump inauguration 6 President-elect Donald Trump, seen last month in Paris, will be sworn in on January 20.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737012104_811_Carrie-Underwood-back-on-social-media-after-dividing-fans-with.jpg)
President-elect Donald Trump, seen last month in Paris, will be sworn in on January 20.
The American Idol alum will perform before Trump is sworn in at the US Capitol, according to an inaugural program reviewed by the AP on Mondays.
The Little Toy Guns singer said in a statement on Monday: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event.” “I am honored to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”
The Before He Cheats frontwoman is looking to kick off “a big year” for herself professionally by joining the American Idol judging panel, sources told Dailymail.com earlier this week of her decision to perform.
“This is something she’s very proud of, and the spin she’s putting on it is that she’s doing it for America, not specifically for Trump,” a source said.
The source said Underwood wasn’t focused on the politics of the situation, but rather embracing the big platform.
“She makes her music for everyone, and she also knows that a lot of her fans will be watching the inauguration,” the source said, “so this was a no-brainer since she feels there will be more good things coming out of it than what she’s going to criticize her for. seems to support Trump.
“She knows that everything will pass and again she says for herself and those close to her that she is doing it for the United States.”
The source noted that Underwood hoped to unite people with her genre: “She wants to unite the country, and music is her way of doing that, looking beyond any controversy that has arisen and will arise.”
![Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with slated performance at Donald Trump inauguration 7 The Before He Cheats vocalist is looking to kick off 'a big year' for herself professionally by joining the American Idol judging panel.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737012104_160_Carrie-Underwood-back-on-social-media-after-dividing-fans-with.jpg)
The Before He Cheats vocalist is looking to kick off ‘a big year’ for herself professionally by joining the American Idol judging panel.
![Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with slated performance at Donald Trump inauguration 8 The Grammy-winning country singer was seen with Johnson (pictured) in the clip performing I'm Gonna Love You, their collaboration that was released last fall.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737012104_331_Carrie-Underwood-back-on-social-media-after-dividing-fans-with.jpg)
The Grammy-winning country singer was seen with Johnson (pictured) in the clip performing I’m Gonna Love You, their collaboration that was released last fall.
![Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with slated performance at Donald Trump inauguration 9 1737012105 549 Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737012105_549_Carrie-Underwood-back-on-social-media-after-dividing-fans-with.jpg)
![Carrie Underwood back on social media after dividing fans with slated performance at Donald Trump inauguration 10 Fans on social media were divided over Underwood's agreement to perform at the inauguration.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Carrie-Underwood-back-on-social-media-after-dividing-fans-with.jpeg)
Fans on social media were divided over Underwood’s agreement to perform at the inauguration.
Regarding her return to the Fox music competition, the source said that Underwood “is a former American Idol and America made her dreams come true, this is her contribution to the country she loves and that has always supported her.”
Underwood is among several artists scheduled to perform as Trump begins his second term.
Others set to take the stage in the nation’s capital include the Village People, opera singer Christopher Macchio and God Bless The USA singer Lee Greenwood, who will perform when Trump comes out to take the oath of office.
Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Parker McCollum, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw and Liberty University’s Praise Choir will also perform.
During Trump’s 2017 inauguration, performers who took the stage included America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Rockettes.