While Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce seems to be flourishing, the pop icon isn’t entirely free from industry drama. Recent reports have reignited speculation about long-standing tension between Swift and fellow music superstar Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood, now a high-profile judge on American Idol, has once again found herself under scrutiny—not just for her comments on the show, but also for her controversial decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s Inauguration.

A Quiet Feud with Loud Implications?

Insiders reportedly told the Daily Mail that Underwood’s performance at Trump’s Inauguration was seen by some in Swift’s circle as an intentional move to “spite Taylor.”

One source claimed, “They’ve had a little bad blood in the past and Taylor famously endorsed Kamala Harris,” implying that Underwood’s appearance was her way of staking claim to the “Miss Americana” identity—one Swift is often associated with.


Underwood’s subtle critiques have raised eyebrows, including a recent American Idol episode where she compared a contestant to Swift in a tone that many interpreted as less than complimentary.

“She doesn’t have this giant vibrato, belty voice, but there’s something in there,” Underwood remarked of the contestant.

According to sources, that offhand comment wasn’t so innocent. “Carrie has been waiting for the moment to throw some subtle shade, but this was not that subtle,” one insider told Daily Mail. “There was absolutely no reason to compare this girl to Taylor.”

Country Roots and Pop Ambitions

One of the key tensions between the two women reportedly stems from Swift’s transition from country to pop music—an evolution that catapulted her into global superstardom. According to the report, Underwood believes Swift “sold out” the country genre in pursuit of fame, a move that allegedly left lingering jealousy.

Their differing approaches to fame and fan engagement also reflect contrasting worldviews. Swift, known for her close-knit “squad” of celebrity friends, once ruled social media with curated friendships and Instagram moments.


Underwood, on the other hand, has distanced herself from that culture. In a previous interview with People, she said, “I don’t even know squad. Like a posse? I have people I hang out with. My friends are normal people – one’s a baker and the other is a stay-at-home mom.”

This isn’t the first time Underwood has thrown shade at Swift. While co-hosting the Country Music Awards, Underwood has made public jokes at Swift’s expense—one of which referenced Swift’s brief romance with Conor Kennedy.

When asked about that moment in a 2012 interview with The New York Times Magazine, Swift coolly responded, “[The cameras] don’t pan to you if you’re not laughing,” signaling her disapproval.