Carrie Underwood may have thrown a ‘hissy fit’ after performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration ball – but her ‘diva’ behaviour started long before she took to the stage, insiders have claimed.
The country star, 41, was invited to sing America The Beautiful as the Republican politician, 78, was sworn in for a second term in office on Monday.
The American Idol judge is said to have laid down a list of requests, including a huge entourage and a handmade designer dress, ahead of the gig, which was plagued by technical issues.
‘Carrie was the inauguration day diva,’ an insider told DailyMail.com. ‘She’d been telling anyone who wanted to listen that Trump called her personally to ask her to perform.
‘She hired an army of security, was requesting a handmade designer dress for the performance, and demanded she be allowed a team of 20.
‘She of course demanded tickets for her family and friends on top of that as well.’
Carrie Underwood may have thrown a ‘hissy fit’ after performing at Donald Trump ’s inauguration ball – but her diva behaviour allegedly started long before she took to the stage
The singer, 41, is said to have laid down a list of requests, including a huge entourage and a handmade designer dress, ahead of the gig (pictured with Trump and JD Vance)
Among her entourage was her hair stylist of 20 years, Melissa Schleicher, who praised her client for bringing ‘unity and togetherness,’ and her stylist Marina Toybina.
Underwood looked stunning as she took her position in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda wearing a specially crafted dove gray draped midi dress by Italian fashion house, Opificio Modenese.
Underwood and Toybina go way back, with the costume designer working with her on music videos, for the Country Music Awards and more recently for her New Year’s Rockin’ Eve performance in New York City’s Times Square.
Underwood had faced fierce criticism for agreeing to perform at the ceremony after telling fans that she was ‘humbled’ to take part in the historic event.
‘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 in a statement.
‘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.’
The move was taken by some as confirmation of her support for the incoming President, with many questioning her ‘morals’ while others branded her decision ‘disgusting.’
But Carrie was unfazed by the backlash and expects to make significant financial gains.
‘Carrie was the inauguration day diva,’ a source said. ‘She hired an army of security, was requesting a handmade designer dress, and demanded she be allowed a team of 20′
‘She stopped reading the backlash because Carrie does not care what others think of her,’ they said.
‘She stopped caring years ago. She has come from such humble beginnings, but she is not that same person anymore.
‘She will no doubt get a ton of promotional and sponsorship deals, and this will undoubtedly boost her record sales.’
But the performance was marred by issues with the backing track which forced the chart-topper to perform A cappella.
Both Underwood and Trump were left grimacing when the track started to play before skidding to a halt.
An unsettling silence descended over the crowd, with a baffled Underwood clutching onto her microphone before telling the crowd: ‘If you know the words, help me out here!’
Following the performance, an insider told DailyMail.com that Underwood threw a ‘hissy fit’ over the arrangements and felt she had not been ‘afforded the same level of respect’ as previous inauguration performers.
‘Carrie was dissatisfied with her performance at the event, primarily due to the limited space she was given, which left her feeling cramped and uncomfortable,’ they said.
Her rendition of America the Beautiful was marred by issues with the backing track which forced the chart-topper to perform A cappella
Both Underwood and Trump were left grimacing when the track started to play before coming to a halt
‘Her anxiety was high throughout the performance, and she felt that she was not afforded the same level of respect or admiration that previous performers, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, had received.
‘She felt as if she was ushered in and out and had a mini hissy fit afterwards.’
The difficulty with spacing was presumably because the event was moved inside at the last minute due to the advent of extreme cold weather.
She was widely praised online for the ‘greatest improvisation since Donald Trump shouted “fight, fight, fight” after getting shot in the ear.’
Another wrote: ‘Carrie Underwood was a champ and gracious. Amazing to see her steady herself and just launch herself in A cappella. The Rotunda was perfect to for acoustics.’
But Ariana Grande appeared to subtly shade the Somethin’ Bad singer after her Instagram account liked a post that poked fun at Underwood.
Internet personality Evan Ross Katz posted a snapshot of Underwood singing, with Vice President Kamala Harris pulling a less-than-impressed expression in the background.
‘Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (“Girl, find the note”) watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling Inauguration,’ Katz captioned the post, referencing a quote from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Ariana Grande appeared to subtly shade the Somethin’ Bad singer after her Instagram account liked a post that poked fun at Underwood’s performance
The Golden Globe nominee seemingly agreed with Katz’s assessment of and double-tapped the post.
‘I’m standing with Ariana,’ one fan wrote on X, after a screenshot of Grande’s Instagram activity was posted to the platform.
‘And that’s why Ari is queen,’ another fan said.
Other stars who took to the stage included Nelly and Billy Ray Cyrus, who also fell victim to technical faults.