It’s fair to say Carrie Underwood fans were surprised to hear the country icon would be performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The 41-year-old American Idol winner has been slammed for her decision, with one social media user claiming they’re planning on ‘blocking her on all apps and boycotting all her music’.
Despite the backlash, the star claims she is ‘honoured to have been asked’ to perform at 78-year-old President-elect Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
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She added that she is ‘humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future’.
Amid the vitriol, fans of the ‘Before He Cheats’ singer have been dredging up the past, with some looking at a reported ‘feud’ she allegedly had with Disney Channel alumna Hilary Duff, 37.
A viral Threads post alleged: “Remember when Hilary Duff refused to sit with or acknowledge/interact with Carrie Underwood when their men both played for the same hockey team and there were unaddressed rumours for months that they hated each other...? Hilary always stays winning.”
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The popular post was accompanied by an image showing Carrie and Hilary sitting in separate rows while supporting the Ottawa Senators during the 2006/07 National Hockey League season.
At the time the picture was taken, Carrie’s husband Mike Fisher, 44, was teammates with Hilary’s ex-spouse Mike Comrie, 44.
Their partnership was short-lived however, with Canadian sportsman Comrie signing for the New York Islanders as an unrestricted free agent in July 2007.
The image of Carrie and Hilary sitting separately sparked mass debate, with some claiming the Lizzie McGuire actress refused to sit with the wife of her ex-husband’s teammate.
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Neither woman has ever addressed their speculated ‘feud’ or why they chose to sit apart.
Tyla has contacted Carrie Underwood and Hilary Duff representatives for further comment.
Meanwhile, US citizens have been using the vial Threads post to air their true feelings on the pair, with some also touching on Carrie’s upcoming inauguration show.
And it’s fair to say the people are divided.
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One typed: “Imagine hating someone solely because of their political views smh.”
A second commented: “Everyone knows that to become a true Idol you need to go to Italy on a school trip and get mistaken for a pop star…not win some reality show!,” referring to the plot of the 2003 Lizzie McGuire Movie.
“Why is it necessary to put two successful women against each other?,” remarked someone else.
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Elsewhere, a fourth fan wrote: "As a longtime fan that’s been to all of your concerts, including Vegas, I’m heartbroken at your decision to perform next week. I thought you stood for love & acceptance, not hate & judgement.”
Previously, Carrie has stated that she tries to ‘stay far out of politics if possible’, commenting that she believes ‘nobody wins’.
“It’s crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that,” she told The Guardian in 2019.
Carrie is expected to sing ‘America the Beautiful’ when President-elect Trump is sworn in as President Joe Biden’s successor later this month.
Topics: Donald Trump, Celebrity, Music, US News