<p id=”par-1_77″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/carrie-underwood/?swcfpc=1″>Carrie Underwood</a> attained fame after winning <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol/?swcfpc=1″>American Idol</a></em> Season 4. In 2025, she’s returning to the show <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-returns-american-idol-ryan-seacrest-weighs-full-circle-moment-welcome-home.html/”>as a judge</a> for the first time, and fans can’t wait to see her <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-carrie-underwood-big-problem-being-judge.html/”>judge competitors on the series</a>. In January 2025, Underwood received backlash for choosing to perform at the second inauguration of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood-mocked-donald-trump-2017-cma.html/”>Donald Trump</a>. While rumors suggested that ABC was not happy with her decision, a source says her inauguration performance did not jeopardize her gig with <em>Idol.</em></p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-did-carrie-underwood-s-inauguration-performance-jeopardize-her-future-with-american-idol”>Did Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance jeopardize her future with ‘American Idol’?</h2>
<p id=”par-2_83″>Carrie Underwood made a bold statement by choosing to perform at the second inauguration of Donald Trump. She sang “America the Beautiful” acapella with Trump, his family, and other politicians and famous folks in the audience. Underwood experienced technical difficulties at the start of the song, but she made it work by encouraging the crowd to sing along with her. While the performance might not have been everything she hoped for, she successfully pulled it off and made many of her fans proud.</p>
<p id=”par-3_67″>Underwood released a statement regarding her performance before the big day. “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 shared with <a href=”https://people.com/carrie-underwood-speaks-out-about-performing-2025-trump-inauguration-8773825″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a>. “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>
<p id=”par-4_27″>Unfortunately, the country singer’s choices brought backlash, as many fans found it irresponsible to support Trump. <em>American Idol</em> producers were allegedly caught “off guard” by Underwood’s decision.</p>
<p id=”par-5_67″>“I don’t think anyone at the show knew about Carrie singing at the inauguration ahead of it coming out; it caught them all off guard,” a source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/tv/13293542/american-idol-not-happy-carrie-underwood-perform-inauguration-boycott/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a>. “It doesn’t conflict with any of her Idol taping dates and it is before this season airs, so it doesn’t go against anything in her contract. But there are producers that don’t approve and are worried.”</p>
<p id=”par-6_47″>While ABC producers might not approve of Underwood’s choice, it doesn’t look like her judging gig is in danger. “Carrie’s job is not in jeopardy” and there are “no talks of firing her,” another source told <a href=”https://www.the-sun.com/tv/13302962/carrie-underwood-future-american-idol-revealed-blindsided-inauguration/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The U.S. Sun</a>. “She will continue her role as a judge.”</p>
<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-Ryan-Seacrest.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Carrie Underwood and Ryan Seacrest smiling next to each other at ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025′” class=”wp-image-3765779″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Carrie Underwood and Ryan Seacrest at ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025′ | ABC/Al Drago</figcaption></figure>
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Carrie Underwood’s Inner Circle ‘Worries’ for Her as ‘American Idol’ Season 23 Premiere Looms, Source Says </a>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-american-idol-judge-luke-bryan-once-navigated-political-controversy”>‘American Idol’ judge Luke Bryan once navigated political controversy </h2>
<p id=”par-7_39″>Sources told The U.S. Sun that Carrie Underwood’s <em>American Idol</em> co-stars — Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Ryan Seacrest — felt disappointed with her decision to perform at the inauguration. However, Bryan once navigated his own political snafu. </p>
<p id=”par-8_52″>In 2022, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/luke-bryan-defends-bringing-florida-governor-ron-desantis-on-stage-concert-this-is-all-im-saying-about-this.html/”>Bryan invited Ron Desantis</a> on stage during a concert in Florida. Desantis and Bryan laughed and high-fived while also throwing merch into the crowd, according to <a href=”https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/american-idol-judge-luke-bryans-364820″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Mirror US</a>. Desantis later thanked Bryan on X, formerly Twitter. “Thanks for letting me crash the party last night, @lukebryan!” the politician wrote.</p>
<p id=”par-9_30″>Bryan’s liberal fanbase doesn’t like Desantis, thus causing a stir. Bryan took to Twitter to defend his actions, as the proceeds from the show went toward Hurricane Ian relief. </p>
<p id=”par-10_59″>“I typically don’t respond to stuff when I’m getting run down on a social platform, but here’s the deal,” Bryan wrote. “I understand Governor Desantis is a very polarizing figure. But I grew up in a country where if a governor asks you if they can come and raise awareness to help victims of a natural disaster, you help.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-lionel-richie-says-it-makes-a-lot-of-sense-for-carrie-underwood-to-join-american-idol”>Lionel Richie says it ‘makes a lot of sense’ for Carrie Underwood to join ‘American Idol’</h2>
<p id=”par-11_25″>The other <em>American Idol</em> judges might not approve of Underwood’s inauguration performance. However, Lionel Richie is excited to welcome Underwood to the judge’s table. </p>
<p id=”par-12_39″>“It makes a lot of sense,” Richie told <a href=”https://www.eonline.com/news/1405814/lionel-richie-reacts-to-carrie-underwood-joining-him-and-luke-bryan-on-american-idol” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>E! News</a> regarding <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-katy-perry-alludes-planning-return-judge.html/”>Underwood taking over for Katy Perry</a>. “It’s not someone we have to get used to. And the fact that she has a great story, she came from <em>American Idol</em>.”</p>
<p id=”par-13_26″>“As artists, we know how you feel, but we’ve never been in that oval that says, <em>American Idol</em>. She’s been there, done that,” he continued. </p>
<p id=”par-14_28″>Richie’s final words of advice to Underwood include embracing his and Bryan’s sense of humor. “Just be a ham sandwich like the two of us,” he laughed. </p>
<p id=”par-15_10″><em>American Idol</em> Season 23 premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025.</p>