American IdolShowrunner Weighs in on Carrie Underwood's Inauguration Performance: 'She Held Her Own'

Mar. 15, 2025

Carrie Underwood in New York City in March 2025.Photo:Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance hasn’t affected herAmerican Idolgig.American Idolshowrunner Megan Michaels Wolflickspoke to The Wrapin an interview published on Sunday, March 9, defending Underwood’s decision to perform atDonald Trump’s inauguration inside the Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. in January.“That was her decision,” Michaels Wolflick told the publication. “Katy Perry, who was a judge on our show, sang at the last inauguration as well, so isn’t that great that twoAmerican Idoljudges sang at the last two inaugurations?“Underwood, 42, who joined the panel of judges for the show’s 23rd season, sang “America the Beautiful” at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, Perry, 40,performed “Firework” for the Celebrating America television specialhonoringthen-President Joe Bidenin 2021.FormerIdoljudgeJennifer Lopezalso sang at Biden’s inauguration,performing “America the Beautiful.“Carrie Underwood in Washington DC in January 2025.Kevin Lamarque - Pool/GettyAfter it was revealed that Underwood was confirmed to perform at the inauguration, she spoke out about her decision. “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,“Underwood said in a statement to PEOPLEat the time.“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.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Underwood’s performance experienced technical difficulties, leading her to sing a cappella. She asked the attendees to join in. “You know the words,” she said.Michaels Wolflick praised Underwood’s handling of the situation. “She held her own, and she remained cool, calm and collected, and I think a lot of that has to do with ‘Idol’ and all of her live experience, starting at a young age, being on live television forIdol,” the showrunner noted.Carrie Underwood in Washington DC in January 2025.SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via GettyElsewhere in her conversation with The Wrap, Michaels Wold spoke about Underwood’s full-circle moment,returning toAmerican Idolas a judgeover 20 years after she won the singing competition series in 2004.“It just made so much sense to put [Carrie] in there, because she was bringing something new to the table that we never had before,” she said. The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer joins judgesLionel RichieandLuke Bryan.“That firsthand experience is something that any other judge who’s ever been on the show can talk for years about what it’s like to stand on the oval, though they don’t know.American Idolairs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Carrie Underwood’s inauguration performance hasn’t affected herAmerican Idolgig.

American Idolshowrunner Megan Michaels Wolflickspoke to The Wrapin an interview published on Sunday, March 9, defending Underwood’s decision to perform atDonald Trump’s inauguration inside the Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. in January.

“That was her decision,” Michaels Wolflick told the publication. “Katy Perry, who was a judge on our show, sang at the last inauguration as well, so isn’t that great that twoAmerican Idoljudges sang at the last two inaugurations?”

Underwood, 42, who joined the panel of judges for the show’s 23rd season, sang “America the Beautiful” at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, Perry, 40,performed “Firework” for the Celebrating America television specialhonoringthen-President Joe Bidenin 2021.

FormerIdoljudgeJennifer Lopezalso sang at Biden’s inauguration,performing “America the Beautiful.”

Carrie Underwood in Washington DC in January 2025.Kevin Lamarque - Pool/Getty

Kevin Lamarque - Pool/Getty

After it was revealed that Underwood was confirmed to perform at the inauguration, she spoke out about her decision. “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,“Underwood said in a statement to PEOPLEat the time.

“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.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Underwood’s performance experienced technical difficulties, leading her to sing a cappella. She asked the attendees to join in. “You know the words,” she said.

Michaels Wolflick praised Underwood’s handling of the situation. “She held her own, and she remained cool, calm and collected, and I think a lot of that has to do with ‘Idol’ and all of her live experience, starting at a young age, being on live television forIdol,” the showrunner noted.

Carrie Underwood in Washington DC in January 2025.SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty

SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty

Elsewhere in her conversation with The Wrap, Michaels Wold spoke about Underwood’s full-circle moment,returning toAmerican Idolas a judgeover 20 years after she won the singing competition series in 2004.

“It just made so much sense to put [Carrie] in there, because she was bringing something new to the table that we never had before,” she said. The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer joins judgesLionel RichieandLuke Bryan.

“That firsthand experience is something that any other judge who’s ever been on the show can talk for years about what it’s like to stand on the oval, though they don’t know.

American Idolairs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com