Ariana Grande found herself in hot water after she liked a post mocking Carrie Underwood’s a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful” at President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Underwood, who performed the song flawlessly despite a technical glitch, demonstrated poise and professionalism when the music failed to play, asking the crowd to sing along as she launched into a stunning unaccompanied performance.
While Underwood received praise from many for handling the situation with grace, critics on social media took aim at her, some motivated more by her decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration than by her actual performance. One Instagram post, shared by internet personality Evan Ross Katz, included an image of former Vice President Kamala Harris watching Underwood with the caption: “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (‘Girl, find the note’)” in reference to a RuPaul’s Drag Race quip about singing off-key.
Ariana Grande, who has been outspoken about her political views, liked the post, drawing criticism after screenshots of her interaction surfaced online. Grande, who had endorsed Kamala Harris during the 2024 election and lamented her preferred candidate’s loss, later unliked the post, but not before it was widely shared. Many of Underwood’s fans were quick to come to her defense. “So many jealous people! Carrie was amazing!” one commenter wrote. Another added, “She sang like an angel, and her grace under pressure is unmatched.”
Underwood, who has largely kept her political affiliations private, addressed the backlash with a statement that underscored her commitment to unity and patriotism. “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, adding, “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.”
Grande’s subtle jab highlights the growing tensions between celebrities and performers willing to engage with events tied to Trump, often finding themselves the target of polarized reactions. Meanwhile, Underwood’s classy response and undeniable talent remind Americans that grace and professionalism transcend politics—a point that even her critics would be wise to acknowledge.