The 42-year-old country singer had to perform the song a cappella in the Capitol rotunda because of a technical issue with the background music.
When the audio malfunction occurred, Underwood encouraged the audience: “If you know the words, help me out here.”
A video of the moment shows many audience members, including the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club, mouthing the words.
Hundreds of people took to social media to commend Underwood for her quick thinking, stating that she dealt with the technical glitch admirably and sang beautifully.
However, several others criticized her performance on Twitter, calling her vocals ‘pitchy’ and ‘uninspired,’ and Ariana Grande seemed to join in on the critique.
A Twitter user commented: “She can’t hide behind tracking vocals and instrumental now. She sounds a mess.”
Some found humor in what seemed to be a visibly unimpressed Kamala Harris standing behind Underwood during the performance.
Another Twitter user wrote, “Kamala behind her is sending me,” while writer Evan Ross Katz posted a screenshot to his 390,000 Instagram followers with the caption: “Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese (“Girl, find the note”) watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling inauguration.”
The drag contestant originally made the comment during Phi Phi O’Hara’s a cappella performance on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2.
Ariana Grande seemed to poke fun at Underwood by liking Katz’s post, which many perceived as a subtle jab.
Grande’s fans shared the post, noting her apparent agreement with the critique, with comments like: “Imagine Ariana basically agreed that ‘you can’t sing’.
“Ariana Grande is finally in her shade queen era! Ariana ended that Republican fad!” another fan exclaimed.
The criticism came after Underwood faced backlash for agreeing to perform at the inauguration ceremony.
In a statement, Underwood said: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Others have used the opportunity to reminisce about previous memorable inaugural performances by artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and fellow American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson.