The Ups and Downs of Carrie Underwood’s Public Image

When Underwood was announced as the new judge on “American Idol,” replacing Katy Perry, fans had varied opinions. Some expressed concern that having two country musicians on the panel would drive viewers away. One Reddit user remarked, “Two country judges is ridiculous—I’m out.” Another echoed the sentiment, questioning Underwood’s ability to critique contestants honestly due to her consistently positive demeanor.

A commentary on Screenrant noted that Underwood’s friendly personality might hinder her ability to provide honest feedback, which is crucial on a competitive show like “Idol.” The writer suggested that while her gentleness is appreciated, it might leave contestants craving tougher, more constructive criticism.

The speculation surrounding a feud between Carrie Underwood and actress Hilary Duff has also affected Underwood’s public image. While neither has confirmed any disagreement, the rumors began back in 2007, when their husbands were teammates on a hockey team. Fans noticed a lack of interaction between the two at the games, sparking speculation that Duff was avoiding Underwood.

In 2011, Duff made a playful remark suggesting envy towards Underwood, stating, “I’m a little envious of [Carrie] right now,” when referring to her husband’s trade to Nashville. However, many fans remain skeptical that the two have a positive relationship, which only amplifies Underwood’s struggles with public perception, especially given Duff’s massive popularity online.

Despite her fame, there have been multiple rumors regarding Carrie Underwood’s behavior. In 2007, a LiveJournal post claimed that someone who met Underwood found her to be “real arrogant,” leading to disappointment in her demeanor. This isn’t an isolated incident; Underwood was also highlighted by The Talko as one of the celebrities who might be “secretly mean,” which adds to the controversies surrounding her reputation.

Besides The Talko, The Things reported that Underwood allegedly looks down on fellow celebrities and has been known to be sharp-tongued, particularly behind the scenes at her shows. While the validity of these claims is uncertain, such reports can certainly impact her public image negatively.

In 2013, Carrie Underwood stirred controversy when she was cast as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live!” This casting choice sparked dissatisfaction among fans of the original, with some believing she was an unsuitable fit for the role, which was famously played by Julie Andrews. Myles von Trapp Derbyshire, a relative of Maria von Trapp, voiced his disappointment, mentioning her lack of acting experience despite her singing talent, and suggested that Anne Hathaway might have been a better choice.

During the live broadcast, Kym Karath, who portrayed Gretl in the original film, expressed her discontent on Twitter, stating that she found parts of the show painful to watch and felt the role wasn’t right for Underwood, despite acknowledging her beautiful voice.