Nancy Lee Grahn Says She Skipped Jimmy Kimmel Live! Episode Featuring Carrie Underwood

Actor Nancy Lee Grahn said she chose not to watch a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Carrie Underwood appeared as a guest.

The moment followed Underwood’s Jan. 23 appearance on the show alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to promote season 24 of American Idol.

On Threads, where she frequently comments on political issues, Grahn, 69, wrote, “See ya next week @jimmykimmel. I refuse to even look at @carrieunderwood.”

Underwood, 42, has largely kept her political views private, but she drew renewed attention earlier this year after performing “America the Beautiful” during Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. In a statement at the time, Underwood said she loved the country and was honored to be asked to sing, adding that she hoped for unity and a shared focus on the future.

Grahn’s post prompted a wave of reactions online. Comedian Kathy Griffin echoed the sentiment in the comments, writing, “Yeah, no love for maga Carrie. It’s not just about political disagreements.” Other users called for boycotts of Underwood’s appearances.

As headlines began circulating about Grahn “slamming” host Jimmy Kimmel, the actress pushed back, clarifying her remarks.

“Truth matters,” Grahn wrote while sharing an article about the controversy. “I LOVE Jimmy Kimmel & watch him every night. I would never ‘slam’ him.” She added that she simply chose not to watch that particular episode because she did not want to see Underwood as a guest, stressing that the situation had been exaggerated for clickbait.

Underwood has previously addressed speculation around her political views. Fans once suggested that her 2018 song “The Bullet” took a stance on gun control, citing lyrics about mothers burying their sons. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Underwood said she tries to avoid public political discussions.

“Nobody wins,” she said at the time, explaining that issues are rarely “black and white.” She added that “The Bullet” was meant to focus on the lives affected by tragedy, not to promote a specific political position, and expressed frustration with being pushed to “pick a side.”

The exchange highlights how celebrity appearances and performances can quickly spark political debate, even when artists and actors say they are not seeking it.