<p id=”par-1_70″><em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol/?swcfpc=1″>American Idol</a></em> winner and country music sensation <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/carrie-underwood/?swcfpc=1″>Carrie Underwood</a> shocked some of her fans by performing at the second inauguration of Donald Trump. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-worst-case-scenario-following-carrie-underwoods-inauguration-performance-source-says.html/”>Underwood defended her choice to perform</a>, noting that it had little to do with her political standing. Now that the performance is over, a source alleged that Underwood expected the presidential administration to pay for a couture dress for her to wear. Here’s what went down. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-allegedly-expected-the-presidential-administration-to-pay-for-her-inauguration-dress”>Carrie Underwood allegedly expected the presidential administration to pay for her inauguration dress</h2>
<p id=”par-2_61″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-not-feel-respected-admired-previous-performers-inauguration-source-says.html/”>Carrie Underwood didn’t have a perfect performance</a> during Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. The start of her rendition of “America the Beautiful” lacked a musical ensemble. She offered to sing acapella and resorted to this after technical difficulties. Additionally, the performance was originally set to occur outdoors — but she settled for inside the Capitol Rotunda due to frigid temperatures. </p>
<p id=”par-3_31″>A source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/13392606/carrie-underwood-dress-off-the-rack-inauguration-custom-couture/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that Underwood’s dress didn’t go as planned. According to the insider, Underwood expected a “custom” dress for the momentous event, but it didn’t happen. </p>
<p id=”par-4_50″>“She was expecting to be dressed in something custom and at the very least something couture and that the administration or the designer would foot the bill for it,” the insider said. “That also did not happen. Carrie ended up wearing a $300 dress off the rack and discounted shoes.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_53″>Underwood looked polished during her performance. She wore a sleeveless gray midi dress with a high neckline from Opificio Modenese and paired the look with ivory leather T-strap Ingiliz pumps. Underwood had her hair in soft waves cascading down one shoulder and behind her back. She paired the look with silver dangling, three-tiered earrings. </p>
<p id=”par-6_66″>Before the performance, Underwood provided a statement to <a href=”https://people.com/carrie-underwood-speaks-out-about-performing-2025-trump-inauguration-8773825″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a> regarding her choices. “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 said. “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.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-american-idol-fans-will-love-the-country-star-s-authentic-outfits-a-celebrity-stylist-says”>‘American Idol’ fans will love the country star’s ‘authentic’ outfits, a celebrity stylist says</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Carrie-Underwood-2.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Carrie Underwood in a gray dress walking past JD Vance and Donald Trump at the inauguration” class=”wp-image-3768680″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Carrie Underwood at the 2nd inauguration of Donald Trump | Morry Gash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
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Carrie Underwood’s ‘American Idol’ Judging Gig Is ‘Not in Jeopardy’ Over Inauguration, Source Claims </a>
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<p id=”par-7_42″>Carrie Underwood appeared understated at the inauguration. However, when it comes to her style, she’s all about the glitz and glam. Underwood’s Las Vegas residency wardrobe in 2023 included iridescent jumpsuits, jeweled body harnesses, fringe boots, rhinestones, neon, and hot pants. </p>
<p id=”par-8_35″>While Underwood kept her inaugural dress appropriate for the White House crowd, celebrity stylist Lalla Bronshtein told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/12145938/carrie-underwood-katy-perry-american-idol-judge-authentic-style/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that <em>American Idol</em> fans will likely appreciate Underwood’s style as a replacement for Katy Perry.</p>
<p id=”par-9_51″>“Without going down the trend route like Katy Perry does, Carrie is authentic,” Bronshtein said. “This will resonate well with the show and the audience. She is authentic in dressing, while Katy goes with whatever is on trend. When stars are not true to themselves and lack unique looks, it can get tricky.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-underwood-s-streaming-numbers-fell-on-inauguration-day”>Carrie Underwood’s streaming numbers fell on Inauguration Day</h2>
<p id=”par-10_44″>The country music giant faced a lot of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/snoop-dogg-fires-back-at-critics-still-a-black-man.html/”>criticism for partaking in the second inauguration</a> of Donald Trump. <a href=”https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/carrie-underwood-trump-inauguration-streaming-numbers-b2686778.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Independent</a> reports that entertainment data analysts Luminate found that Carrie Underwood’s streaming numbers fell by 6% on Inauguration Day compared to the previous Monday. </p>
<p id=”par-11_20″>Underwood isn’t the only one feeling the backlash. Nelly, a performer at Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball, also lost listeners. </p>
<p id=”par-12_61″>Another source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/13376739/carrie-underwood-second-guessing-inauguration-performance-frustrated/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a> that <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-wondering-inauguration-worth-mishaps-backlash-source-says.html/”>Underwood might be questioning</a> whether her choice to perform was worth it, especially considering the technical difficulties that threw her off her game. “She’s proud of herself for how she handled such a chaotic situation, but I think she’s second-guessing this whole thing and wondering if it was worth it,” the source alleged. </p>
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