Carrie Underwood 'barely acknowledged' fans while filming 'American Idol' amid inauguration controversy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Carrie Underwood is presumably still reeling under the pressure of the backlash she received following her decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
As the 41-year-old singer went to Los Angeles for the filming of the Hollywood round of ‘American Idol’, an insider revealed Underwood was looking somewhat “nervous” and “barely acknowledged” her fans.
The former ‘American Idol’ winner, who is making her judging debut this year with the show’s upcoming 23rd season, was also accompanied by the veteran judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
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Carrie Underwood ‘barely acknowledged’ her fans during Los Angeles trip
As per the reports, Carrie Underwood appeared “nervous” as she went in front of the public for the first time since her performance at the inauguration.
The three judges of ‘American Idol’ are currently camping in Los Angeles to film the show’s notable Showstoppers round, per The Mirror US. However, as the trio came to the Orpheum Theatre in Downton Los Angeles to film the episode, an insider shared ‘The Champion’ singer appeared “nervous.”
“She barely acknowledged the audience who kept chanting her name. The fans kept yelling ‘we love Carrie’ but she wouldn’t even turn around and wave most of the time - though she did a few times,” shared the source to The US Sun.
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Apart from the appearance being the first since her controversial inauguration performance that received backlash on social media, Monday’s filming was the first time Underwood and the Season 23 contestants filmed in front of a live audience.
The insider said that when Underwood walked on stage, an announcer energetically called out her name while introducing her to the audience. When she walked out, she was sent off by the similarly energetic audience who applauded and chanted her name throughout.
However, the source said that despite getting a warm welcome, Underwood appeared “tense” and “serious” throughout the time she was judging.
While she turned only a few times to the audience’s cheer, the source said, “Also, Carrie rarely danced during the contestant’s performances besides nodding along and shuffling to some rock songs."
“She did loosen up a bit by the end so she could've been nervous, especially since it was her first time judging in front of a live audience,” explained the source before highlighting, “But Lionel and Luke both had a lot more energy than Carrie did.”
The Season 23 premiere of American Idol will be telecast on March 9 on ABC.
Carrie Underwood's 'Indian Idol' job not 'in jeopardy'
The recent news of Carrie Underwood and the other judges filming the show in Los Angeles also put to rest the rumor that her judging job was in jeopardy following her performance at the inauguration. Nevertheless, a mole previously shared, that Underwood’s “job is not in jeopardy," before adding that there were “no talks of firing her. She will continue her role as a judge.”
Meanwhile, an insider shared with The US Sun that though her judging job was not risky, the producers of ‘American Idol’ were reportedly shocked to know her decision to perform at the political event.
They shared, "I don’t think anyone at the show knew about Carrie singing at the inauguration ahead of it coming out, it caught them all off guard," before adding, "It doesn’t conflict with any of her Idol taping dates and it is before this season airs, so it doesn’t go against anything in her contract. But there are producers that don’t approve and are worried."
