Carrie Underwood wore $300 off-the-rack dress at Trump inauguration after custom dress plan fell through
WASHINGTON, DC: Country superstar Carrie Underwood, 41, found herself in the spotlight on Donald Trump's Inauguration Day on January 20, not only for her stirring a cappella rendition of 'America the Beautiful' but also for a series of unexpected hurdles that reshaped her experience on one of the world's biggest stages.
As The US Sun revealed the beloved 'American Idol' winner and country music icon, traded her usual designer ballgowns for a $300 off-the-rack dress after a series of unforeseen events turned her inauguration day plans upside down.
Carrie Underwood wore 'off the rack' dress and 'discounted shoes' at Trump's Inauguration
The 41-year-old singer stunned in a sleeveless grey fitted midi dress featuring a high draped neckline, paired with leather studded pumps boasting gold-plated heels.
But this minimalist choice, although chic, wasn’t what her team initially envisioned for her big moment as her requests for a custom dress were allegedly "denied," the outlet reported.
“Most of the changes from the day had to do with the event being moved indoors which decreased the guest list and how many people she could bring with her - something she was not happy about,” an insider revealed.
“But it even went down to things like the wardrobe. She was expecting to be dressed in something custom and at the very least something couture and that the administration or the designer would foot the bill for it."
"That also did not happen. Carrie ended up wearing a $300 dress off the rack and discounted shoes.”
Her Opificio Modenese dress, currently priced at $310, and her Ingiliz shoes, on sale for $272, marked a significant departure from Underwood's signature glamour.
Known for dazzling on red carpets, such as her show-stopping gold ombre Dolce & Gabbana ballgown at the 2022 Grammys, Underwood has long been synonymous with couture and rhinestones.
Viewers call Carrie Underwood’s look 'dude in drag'
Carrie Underwood’s choice of dress at the inauguration sparked a whirlwind of reactions, ranging from admiration to harsh criticism.
Fans took to social media to voice their opinions as one fan shared on an article post, "I lost a lot of respect for her."
Another wrote, "Too bad the dress is filled with garbage."
A different viewer pointed out, "Gone to the dark side!"
A follower asked, "Was it hers or was it fitted to her by her staff?"
One opinion stated, "She looks like a dude in drag."
Another individual observed on Reddit, "$300 would probably buy my entire wardrobe (other than shoes, I spend a lot on my feet...)"
As someone explained, "Oh no i have to wear a $300 dollar dress that i have to pay for” bruh like most of us don’t stress over buying a $20 shirt."
"OH! The horror!" one wrote sarcastically.
Carrie Underwood’s frustration boils over after technical glitch at inauguration
Despite her polished appearance, sources claim the toned-down look symbolized Underwood's frustration with how the day unfolded.
“I don’t think it’s a secret Carrie is frustrated with how the performance went,” a source shared.
“Her keeping quiet is a clear indicator things did not go well for her, not how she wanted. Reports of her having a ‘hissy fit’ isn’t true, she isn’t a toddler but she was and is extremely frustrated.”
The performance itself was fraught with chaos. A massive technical glitch left the packed room — and Underwood — stunned when the music for 'America The Beautiful' failed to play.
Grimacing and gripping her microphone tightly, Underwood ultimately delivered a capella rendition, earning praise for her professional “boss move.”
Underwood reflects on having a 'different experience than promised' at inauguaration
In addition to her dress, behind the scenes, the mishaps seemed to weigh heavily on the singer.
“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,” a source claimed.
“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 afterward,” the source further claimed.
The source also said, “How the performance was pitched to her and how it ended up going were two very different experiences."
"I know she’s proud of herself for how she handled such a chaotic situation, but I think she’s second-guessing this whole thing and wondering if it was worth it—for both herself and her family, who she’s fiercely protective of and tries to keep more private."
Now, Underwood is turning her focus back to her roots as she recently promoted her Hulu concert special, 'Reflection', marking the only time she has spoken publicly since the inauguration.
She is also gearing up for her return to 'American Idol' alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan when the show’s 23rd season premieres on March 9, as reports suggest.
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