Carrie Underwood was forced to improvise after a technical glitch threatened to derail her performance at the second inauguration of Donald Trump.
The 41-year-old country music superstar, who launched her career on American Idol and now serves as a judge on the talent show, was drafted in to perform America The Beautiful at the historic event.
When the back-up music appeared to fail, the Before He Cheats hit-maker showed she was the ultimate professional as she proceeded to sing acapella.
With the eyes of the world on her, she also encouraged the audience to join her in the song which saw former president Joe Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris sing the words.
Underwood was expected to perform ahead of the swearing-in, however the schedule was adapted at the last minute to have it as close to midday in accordance with tradition as the ceremony ran behind.
After Mr Trump took the oath of office and gave a lengthy inaugural address inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Monday, Underwood appeared in a white gown as she waited for the music to begin.
After a delay, she performed the song acapella with help from the Armed Forces Choir and the US Naval Academy Glee Club in front of an audience of more than 600 people at the 60th inauguration ceremony.
Among the guests was a host of business executives, including Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and chief executive of Apple Tim Cook, all seated behind the five children of Mr Trump.
Upon his arrival into the rotunda, Mr Trump attempted to kiss his wife Melania on the cheek, but could not reach her face which was shielded by an elegant Eric Javits hat.
Mr Trump was sworn in as America’s 47th president after overcoming impeachments, criminal indictments and two assassination attempts to win another term in the White House.
“The golden age of America begins right now,” he said during his inaugural address, as he declared it “liberation day” for American citizens.
Other guests included former US presidents such as Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama, without his wife Michelle – who appeared to be celebrating Martin Luther King day on X.
While other performers during the ceremony included classical singer Christopher Macchio, who sang Oh, America! wearing a blue velvet suit jacket. The tenor also closed the ceremony with a rendition of the American National Anthem.
The inauguration came after Mr Trump was seen dancing on stage with the Village People at a pre-inauguration victory rally in Washington during a rendition of YMCA.
Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 featured performances from the Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and America’s Got Talent singer Jackie Evancho.
The history of celebrities performing at inaugurations has increased over time, with John F Kennedy’s one of the starriest in 1961.
That celebration, produced by Frank Sinatra, saw Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Sir Laurence Olivier and Sidney Poitier among those in attendance.
Meanwhile, the first inauguration of Mr Obama in 2009 saw Aretha Franklin perform My Country Tis Of Thee at the swearing-in, while the new president and his wife Michelle were serenaded by Beyonce singing At Last at an inaugural ball.
