Carrie Underwood’s subdued outfit choice and the stark setup at Donald Trump's 2025 Presidential Inauguration stirred unexpected reactions from the celebrated singer.
Discontent lingered for Carrie Underwood during her inaugural performance, which echoed in her attire and the compromised staging conditions, Daily Mail reported.
On January 20, 2025, at Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., Carrie Underwood was slated to perform "America The Beautiful." However, the event did not unfold as glamorously as one might have expected for the star known for her usually dazzling appearances.
Due to unforeseen weather conditions, the inauguration ceremony moved indoors, drastically altering the event dynamics, including guest capacity and the physical arrangement for performances.
As a result, this change impacted Underwood’s performance, which, to her dismay, felt cramped and challenging—far from the seamless showings at previous inaugurations.
Expressing her discomfort, Underwood faced the additional burden of her outfit. Contrary to the grandeur expected of such a significant event, she wore a modest ensemble purchased off the rack: a fitted midi-dress by Opificio Modenese and nude high heels from Ingiliz. She paid $582 out of her own pocket for these items.
Moreover, the indoor setting not only scaled back her audience but also stripped down the very stage she was to perform on, leaving her without the usual acoustic provisions typical for such a venue, which affected the sound quality of her performance.
Underwood had anticipated wearing a custom or couture dress, a privilege she thought the event’s administration or the designer would cover; however, neither expectation was met.
An insider expressed to The US Sun, "Most of the changes from the day had to do with the event being moved indoors which decreased the guest list and how many people she could bring with her - something she was not happy about." Consequently, this situation undercut the usual pomp and ceremonial splendor associated with inaugural performances.
Moreover, her dissatisfaction was palpable, and it did not go unnoticed. “Her anxiety was high throughout the performance, and she felt that she was not afforded the same level of respect or admiration that previous performers, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, had received," a source reported. Underwood’s sense of being undervalued in comparison to her predecessors only exacerbated her discontent.
As a result, after her performance, tensions reached a peak. An insider described her reaction as a "mini hissy fit," underscoring the accumulation of frustrations she felt during the event.
Despite these setbacks, Carrie Underwood performed under pressure, maintaining professionalism amidst technical and emotional challenges. An insider added that it was a moment loaded with awkwardness right from the start.
Although her performance wasn't ideal, nor was it what she wanted it to be as she had hoped it would go down without a hitch, the fact that there was some awkwardness getting things going only added to the unique nature of it all, another source explained.
Looking back on the day, it seems likely that Underwood will eventually laugh at the situation, recognizing the imperfections of their spontaneous and human touch. However, for now, the disappointment remains fresh.
