Whoopi Goldberg has weighed in on the backlash against Carrie Underwood after the country singer confirmed she will perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The Before He Cheats hitmaker will sing America the Beautiful at the event which will see the controversial businessman and politician sworn in for a second time.
The inauguration will take place on January 20 at the US Capitol building, with performances from Carrie, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Y.M.C.A. singers; the Village People.
Some fans were not so thrilled by the American Idol winner’s news and took to X to express disappointment at the decision.
However, Whoopi has now defended Carrie’s ‘right to make up her mind’, even if fans disagree with it.
Speaking on The View, she said: ‘People do what they do for whatever reasons. I stand behind her.
‘If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform some place, I believe they have the same right. I have to support.
Cohosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin pushed back against this, saying they would not have accepted the offer to perform.
Alysa Farah Griffin pointed out that Carrie is likely to bring in as many fans as she alienates, given country music’s right-wing skew and that millions of Americans did vote for Trump.
She said fans can let their opinions known by not supporting her music or going to her concert but ultimately they can’t influence her decisions.
Whoopi gave a little caveat to her statement and added: ‘It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested in watching [the inauguration] — I won’t be watching. But that’s me.’
In a statement previously shared with Metro, Carrie, 41, said: ‘I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.
‘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.’
‘Carrie Underwood you are most famous for singing about keying the car of a man who cheated!!!! And you’re now performing for a man who has cheated on every wife he’s had and has cheated the country out of peace and common sense governing!!!! Girl gfy,’ wrote Anna (vegannabananna).
Creat1ve said: ‘And when it comes to Carrie Underwood, disappointed but not surprised. Jesus take the wheel indeed.’
‘I’ve been a huge fan for 13 years… there is no defending this.. @carrieunderwood,’ added gagacasonova.
‘Carrie Underwood is preforming at Trump’s inauguration so I’m blocking her on all apps and boycotting all her music. 😡,’ added Suzierizzo1.
Even Carrie Underwood fan accounts have taken action with CarrieUnderwoodUK writing: ‘While I will always love and support @carrieunderwood, this account will not be covering her upcoming appearance at Donald Trump’s inauguration nor any other comments/appearances she makes in support of this convicted felon.’
US account Carrie Underwood Charts abandoned the singer entirely and swapped to covering fellow country singer Megan Moroney.
They wrote: ‘She disappointed the entire generation z who she was our first country queen. We will be streaming @_megmoroney now💙 .
‘Carrie sales have declined and will be none now she lost support of lgbtq and poc community who loved her. We tried but I guess love doesn’t really win😭.’
The Two Black Cadillacs singer has said in the past she is a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, even releasing a track called Love Wins in 2018.
Carrie, who is a devout Christian, told the Independent in 2012 that she was in support of gay marriage and people’s right to love whoever they want.
She sadi at the time: ‘As a married person myself, I don’t know what it’s like to be told I can’t marry somebody I love, and want to marry. I can’t imagine how that must feel.
‘I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love.’
This is seen as conflicting to Trump’s track record on LGBTQ+ issues as he has spoken out against trans people calling gender-affirming care ‘lunacy’.
Carrie originally rose to fame in 2005 when she won the fourth season of American Idol, which had already produced superstar Kelly Clarkson.
Debut track Inside Your Heaven landed on the Billboard Hot 100, followed by Jesus, Take the Wheel and Before He Cheats.
She won three Grammy awards including Best New Artist that year — she now has a total of eight Grammys and has a reported net worth of $120million (£98million).
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