Nancy Lee Grahn says she ‘refuses to even look’ at Carrie Underwood after Trump inauguration

Grahn said she wouldn't watch the episode of Jimmy Kimmel's show that Underwood had appeared on
PUBLISHED JAN 26, 2026
Nancy Lee Grahn expresses frustration with Carrie Underwood (Getty Images)
Nancy Lee Grahn expresses frustration with Carrie Underwood (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'General Hospital' star Nancy Lee Grahn on Thursday, January 22, said that she can’t “even look” at Carrie Underwood anymore.

Grahn commented on her Threads account after 'American Idol' icon Underwood appeared on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' to promote the new season of the singing competition.

Her criticism was linked to Underwood being a supporter of President Donald Trump.

Nancy Lee Grahn expresses frustration with Carrie Underwood

Grahn posted on Threads after Carrie Underwood appeared alongside fellow 'American Idol' judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie to promote the upcoming season of the ABC reality singing competition on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

“See ya next week @jimmykimmel. I refuse to even look at @carrieunderwood,” Grahn wrote.

Nancy Lee Grahn attends the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium on October 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez)
Nancy Lee Grahn attends the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium on October 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

While she did not explain the context of her comment, several users responded by suggesting Underwood’s perceived support for President Donald Trump had alienated liberal fans.

(@nancyleegrahn/threads)
Nancy Lee Grahn expresses frustration with Carrie Underwood (@nancyleegrahn/threads)

Comedian Kathy Griffin weighed in, writing, “I’ll watch ya! Yeah, no love for maga Carrie. It’s not just about political disagreements anymore.”

As the post gained traction online, and speculation began about Grahn criticising Kimmel, she shared a follow-up message.

On January 24, Grahn clarified that her criticism was directed at Underwood, not Kimmel. She emphasized that she remains a fan of the late-night host and said her frustration with Underwood was “for obvious reasons.” 

“Truth matters. I LOVE Jimmy Kimmel & watch him every night. I would never 'slam' him. I simply said I would watch him next week because I didn’t want to look at Carrie Underwood (for obvious reasons) who was his guest that night. Come on guys, I’m not worth the silly clickbait," Grahn wrote.

(@nancyleegrahn/threads)
(@nancyleegrahn/threads) 

Grahn has previously accused Underwood of being a “MAGA” [Make America Great Again] Republican 

Last month, she shared a video of former CNN host Don Lemon reacting to Underwood’s remarks mocking the Affordable Care Act website at the 2013 Country Music Awards.

“I thought everyone knew Carrie Underwood was MAGA. She’s American all right, but certainly no Idol,” Grahn wrote.

Carrie Underwood's faces backlash over Trump support

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Carrie Underwood performs during the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
 Carrie Underwood performs during the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in the US Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)

Carrie Underwood previously drew criticism from liberal fans after she agreed to perform at President Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration.

During a discussion on 'The View,' co-host Joy Behar questioned Underwood’s decision, "She says ‘I love our country.’ How do you love your country and support and normalize somebody who was a convicted felon who really wants to destroy the country, in my opinion? I don’t understand how you say you love your country at the same time that you normalize this convicted felon."

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin pushed back, noting that millions of Americans who voted for Trump also love their country and arguing that artists should be free to make their own choices.

Behar responded, "I would not be the person to say don’t do it, because I believe in free speech and everything about it. I personally would not do it. No one’s asked me, but that’s another story."

Meanwhile, Sunny Hostin said, "I think art is art, and, you know, you have a right to perform where you want to perform. I agree with you, I can’t sing a lick and I have not been asked, but if I were asked, it would be a hard no."

Whoopi Goldberg also defended Underwood’s choice, saying "People do what they do for whatever reasons. It’s like Joe and Mika. They felt that’s what they needed to do and I got to stand behind them, you know and I stand behind her."

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