Carrie Underwood Faces Backlash as American Idol Moves to Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN — As American Idol Season 24 moves into its high-stakes Hollywood Week, judge and country superstar Carrie Underwood is finding herself at the centre of a digital firestorm. The “Denim & Rhinestones” singer, now 42, recently admitted to being “booed a lot” by the live audience during filming in Nashville, sparking a heated debate over her legacy and political history.

The backlash, which intensified over the weekend of 21 February 2026, appears to stem from a combination of her judging decisions and lingering resentment from some viewers regarding her 2017 performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration. While Underwood has largely avoided political commentary throughout her career, the recent “Hollywood Week” reception has reignited online criticism, with some fans calling for a boycott while others fiercely defend the seven-time Grammy winner.

Idol Returns to Nashville

For the first time in the show’s history, American Idol moved its Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee. Underwood, who joined the judging panel for her second consecutive season, noted that the local crowd was not shy about expressing their disagreement with the judges’ cuts. “Spoiler alert… I get booed A LOT from our Hollywood Week audience,” Underwood shared in a recent teaser, though she maintained a professional demeanor throughout the taping.

Despite the friction, the season has seen emotional highs. Underwood was recently moved to tears by a contestant’s performance, proving that her connection to the show that launched her career in 2005 remains deep. Industry insiders, including fellow artist Cody Johnson, have also hinted that Underwood is quietly working on a new studio project, which would be her first major release since 2022’s Denim & Rhinestones.

Life on the Farm: “Granny Hobbies”

Away from the bright lights of the Idol stage, Underwood is embracing a quieter life. In recent interviews, she opened up about her love for “granny hobbies,” including gardening, baking, and a surprising affinity for cleaning. “I love cleaning toilets,” she told Country Living, noting that she finds peace in the routine of maintaining her Tennessee farm while raising her two sons, Isaiah (10) and Jake (7).

Career Milestones & Collaborations

Underwood’s influence on the charts remains steady. Her recent collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I’m Gonna Love You,” reached No. 3 on the Country Airplay charts last year. Additionally, her philanthropic efforts continue to be recognized; she was recently cited alongside artists like Jelly Roll and Eric Church as a past recipient of the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award.

Reported by Canada Wire News Desk. All figures in CAD unless otherwise noted.