Carrie Underwood faced online criticism over her appearance at the Dolly Parton tribute on Wednesday, 21 October, with one Instagram commenter calling her 'frightening'. The supplied report describes divided reactions to her participation in the celebration, including comments labelling her look a 'Mar-a-Lago face' and objections linked to her perceived politics.
The criticism followed backlash over Underwood's decision to perform at President Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration. At the tribute, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, she closed the programme with Parton's 1973 song I Will Always Love You.