In a move that has stirred reactions across the music and political landscapes, country music star Carrie Underwood will sing 'America the Beautiful' at President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration.
- Jan 14, 2025
AceShowbiz - Carrie Underwood, the country music sensation who rose to fame as the winner of "American Idol," is set to take the national stage next week at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Scheduled for January 20 in Washington, D.C., Underwood's performance of "America the Beautiful" is expected to be a highlight of the ceremony.
"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," Underwood expressed in a statement on Monday, January 13. "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."
Alongside Underwood, the Village People, best known for their 1970s hits such as "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man," will be making appearances at two inaugural events. Despite the potential controversy given the group's anthem status within the LGBTQ+ community and their popularity at Trump's rallies, the band emphasized that their music aims to unite people.
"Our song 'Y.M.C.A.' is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost," noted Victor Willis, the last surviving founding member, on Facebook.
The inauguration will also feature country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio, who were chosen by Trump to perform some of the essential inaugural pieces.
Post the swearing-in ceremony, Trump is slated to attend three inaugural balls, where Underwood's presence is likely to add star power to the festivities. Additional events including a fireworks celebration, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, and a series of campaign-style rallies will further mark the occasion.
Underwood has previously steered clear of political discussions. Her decision to perform highlights her stance on unity rather than partisanship. Reflecting on her past work, songs like "The Bullet" have been misinterpreted as political statements, despite her insistence on their thematic focus beyond politics.
The inaugural celebrations aim to reflect "President-elect Trump's historic return to the White House and the American people's decisive vote to Make America Great Again," according to inaugural committee co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler.
As the nation prepares for another pivotal moment, one thing is clear: Carrie Underwood's voice will be aiming to spread unity and hope as the country looks to the future.
