WASHINGTON (AP) — While Carrie Underwood may not hold the same level of celebrity status as Beyoncé or Garth Brooks, her upcoming performance at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration signals a shift in the entertainment industry. More mainstream entertainers, ranging from Nelly to The Village People, are now openly aligning themselves with the new administration, a change from the past.
Eight years ago, Trump faced challenges in securing star performers for his inauguration festivities, with more well-known entertainers participating in protest marches across the nation instead. This contrasted sharply with Barack Obama’s second inaugural ceremony, which featured performances from the likes of Beyoncé, James Taylor, and Kelly Clarkson.
Although there have always been some celebrity supporters of Trump, such as Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Jon Voight, the turnout for his recent inauguration was more substantial. Artists like Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People, and Lee Greenwood performed at a rally, while others like Nelly, Rascal Flatts, and Jason Aldean participated in inaugural balls.
Robert Thompson, a pop culture professor at Syracuse University, noted that while the number of celebrities backing Trump is increasing, it represents only a small subset of the overall celebrity community. Even those who previously criticized Trump, like Snoop Dogg, have shown a willingness to participate in events related to his administration.
Despite these shifts, there remains a lingering stigma around celebrities aligning themselves with Trump. Thompson highlighted The Village People’s statement justifying their involvement as an example of this. He also noted that participation in national civic rituals like inaugurals can sometimes transcend political differences.
The involvement of artists like Underwood may not sway opinions on Trump, but it could influence perceptions of the artists themselves. Some social media users have expressed plans to remove Underwood’s music from their playlists in response to her performance.
Trump, once at odds with much of Hollywood, has now sought to engage with the entertainment industry, naming Stallone, Voight, and Gibson as his “ambassadors.” This move has drawn comparisons to satire or a movie plot, reflecting the evolving dynamics between celebrities and politics.
In a notable departure from past years, the recent Golden Globe Awards ceremony in early January steered clear of any mention of the former president, Donald Trump. This marked a significant shift from the 2017 awards, where actress Meryl Streep used her acceptance speech to criticize the then-president-elect.
Discussing this shift, commentator Thompson remarked, “All of this celebrity talking against Trump and all of the celebrities supporting (Joe) Biden not only didn’t impact the election outcome but may have inadvertently influenced it in the opposite direction.”
In a separate event in Washington, the nonpartisan organization, The Creative Coalition, united actors in a fundraising gala to support military service members and their families. Comedian Jeff Ross emphasized the importance of nonpartisan initiatives, highlighting the role of the military in safeguarding free speech.
While concerns were raised about potential cuts to the National Endowment of the Arts under the new administration, actor Steven Weber stressed the critical role of arts funding in education and culture.
Steering away from political discourse, entertainers at the event focused on supporting organizations and initiatives. However, worries about forthcoming challenges in arts funding lingered amidst the celebratory atmosphere.
In a separate forthcoming event, the Concert for America is set to provide a platform for fundraising for wildfire relief efforts. Not aimed as a protest but as a charitable initiative, the concert will feature a lineup of prominent celebrities like Jon Cryer, Conan O’Brien, and Rosie Perez, emphasizing the support for human rights causes.
The event’s organizers, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson, established the Concert for America in 2017 with a vision to provide aid to organizations in need. Jackson highlighted the event’s mission to inspire hope and unity, fostering a sense of community and positivity amidst challenging times.
Reflecting on the initiative, Rudetsky emphasized the importance of countering divisive rhetoric with a message of unity and collaboration, aiming to bring people together for a common cause.
As the entertainment industry continues to navigate shifting political landscapes, events like the Golden Globe Awards and the Concert for America serve as platforms for raising awareness, supporting charitable causes, and promoting unity in times of uncertainty.
