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The ‘Wicked’ star and Kamala Harris supporter couldn’t resist Liking a post that threw some shade at Underwood’s “America the Beautiful” awkwardness.
By James Hibberd
Writer-at-Large
Ariana Grande “Liked” a rather wickedly witty Instagram post mocking Carrie Underwood‘s inauguration performance.
Underwood drew some controversy for electing to perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump‘s second presidential inauguration on Monday. The “Before He Cheats” singer hasn’t previously been political and had made previous digs against Trump, so some of her fans were surprised and disappointed by the move. When the big moment came, Underwood’s accompanying music track failed (video below). After an awkward minute of silence, Underwood told the crowd, ‘If you know the words help me out here,” and then gamely plowed ahead and sang the challenging song a capella. While the country star’s “show must go on” professionalism drew praise, her seemingly stressed performance received some snark online.
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One of those social media barbs was from internet personality Evan Ross Katz, who shared a photo of outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris watching Underwood with the caption: “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (‘Girl, find the note’)” [while] watching Carrie Underwood’s at today’s chilling inauguration.” (A RuPaul’s Drag Race reference where Montrese criticized another contestant’s musical performance).
Grande Liked the shade-tossing post, which was then screen-grabbed by outfits such as Buzzfeed.
A post shared by Evan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz)
Previously, Grande endorsed Harris. After Trump won the November election, Grande wrote on her Instagram stories, “Holding the hand of every person who is feeling the immeasurable heaviness of this outcome today.”
Underwood explained performing at the inauguration with this statement to fans: “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. 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.”
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