Star singer performs at Trump inauguration: This is how she explains her controversial decision

Washington, D.C. (USA) - The world has been eagerly awaiting this moment for weeks, and next Monday the time has finally come: Donald Trump (78) will be sworn in as the 47th President of the USA, beginning his second term in office after a four-year break. A world-famous singer has been announced to provide the musical backdrop: Carrie Underwood (41)!

It was announced on Monday (local time) that the former "American Idol" winner, who is one of the most successful musicians of all time, will be part of the inauguration ceremony. This was later confirmed by a spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Underwood, who has sold more than 85 million records in her career, had long kept her political views a secret, so her appearance was a surprise to her fans - and not necessarily a positive one in the eyes of many.

On social media, countless users were disappointed after her performance became public, with harsh criticism and hate messages doing the rounds.

The country singer explained her decision to People magazine as follows: "I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event."

Underwood continued: "I am honored to answer this call at a time when we all need to come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future."

Just a few years ago, the 41-year-old said in an interview with the Guardian: "I try to stay out of politics as much as possible, at least in public, because nobody wins."

During the last Trump presidency, she even joked and sang about the now 78-year-old during an award ceremony: "And it's fun to watch, yeah, that's for sure / Until the little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war / Maybe next time he'll think before he tweets."

But Underwood seems to have left these views behind her by now. The multimillionaire doesn't seem to care that this has alienated some fans.