Carrie Underwood likely expected tough critiques during Hollywood Week. What she may not have expected was becoming the center of a political firestorm.
The eight-time Grammy winner and “American Idol” judge revealed on X that she received a chilly reception from the live audience during the show’s Hollywood Week taping. “Spoiler alert… I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience,” she wrote, punctuating the comment with a flushed face emoji.
That brief post ignited a wave of reactions online — and quickly turned into something far bigger than reality television.
Spoiler alert…I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience. 😳 @AmericanIdol
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) February 17, 2026
Critics flooded the comments, many tying the reported booing to Underwood’s performance at President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration ceremony. In January, Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol shortly after Trump took the oath of office. When background audio malfunctioned mid-performance, she continued a cappella, drawing applause from attendees and praise from supporters who described the moment as poised and professional.
But for detractors, the issue was not vocal technique.
Several social media users openly accused Underwood of aligning herself politically by agreeing to perform at the inauguration. Comments ranged from sarcastic jabs to blunt criticism, with some labeling her “MAGA” and others declaring they had stopped watching the show entirely.
Yet the backlash was far from one-sided.
Supporters rallied around the country music star, framing the criticism as politically motivated. Fellow country artist John Rich commented that earning Hollywood’s disapproval might not be a negative. Other fans encouraged her to “stay with your values” and praised her for standing firm despite criticism.
The divide extended beyond social media users.
Television personalities and celebrities weighed in after her inauguration performance earlier in the year. “The View” co-host Joy Behar questioned Underwood’s participation, suggesting it normalized Trump’s presidency. Actress Nancy Lee Grahn publicly expressed disapproval on social media. At the same time, Whoopi Goldberg defended Underwood’s right to perform, emphasizing artistic freedom and individual choice. Country star Jason Aldean praised her composure during the technical glitch, calling the a cappella recovery a “pro move.”
Underwood herself has consistently avoided overt political commentary. When announcing her decision to perform at the inauguration, she framed it as a patriotic honor rather than a partisan endorsement.
“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 wrote at the time. She added that she hoped the moment would encourage unity and a focus on the future.
The Hollywood Week boos — whether playful, political, or something in between — illustrate how deeply intertwined entertainment and politics have become. For public figures, even performances of patriotic songs can be interpreted through partisan lenses.