Carrie Underwood: I "Lose Respect" For Celebrities Who Endorse

American Idol winner and country music superstar Carrie Underwood has lost all respect for Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Diddy, George Clooney and other celebrities who have backed candidates for office.

While talking about the presidential race with TV Guide, Carrie revealed, "There is someone I do support, but I don't support publicly. I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate."

"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions," she explains. "I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape."

Comments

[KayCo]

She is from my home state, the reddest state in the nation, Oklahoma.

If she openly favors McCain, she could risk angering her indepedent minded fan best nationwide, If she openly supports Obama, she would catch it from her conservative country music fan base and her own home state.

Oklahoma is so red... it glows!!!!

Personally, if I were famous, I would come right out and loud with my endorsement of Obama. I have my own mind and living in this infrared state has had no influence on me! I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and I am taking my Obama buttons with me just to be annoying with the conservative relatives!!

[starfire426]

Career not going so well, huh, Carrie!!! Actually no one, but NO ONE cares who you respect or don't respect. Stick to that of which you have knowledge of...whatever that may be!!!

[The Militant Marker]

I bet her McCain/Palin pillow is drenched with tears.

[loriborealis]

I think I understand the nature of her complaint with celebrities endorsing politicians - if it is truly as simple as her statement makes it to be. Mainly, no one should just follow blindly because they were told to. But I think she missed something pretty crucial...

A couple of years and two days ago, enough people started to think for themselves, stopped buying the bill of goods that the current administration has been trying to sell us all, and decided to start speaking out for change. This is an example of individual persons, like you and me, being so moved and inspired (and angry) about our country that we each took a little bit of responsibility and decided to make an impact, together. Am I a celebrity? No. But I did it anyway, because I was moved.

My talents lie elsewhere too, just like Ms. Underwood's. I am no politician. But I am an intelligent voter, one who did research and learned about the issues. I listened. And I guarantee that many celebrities also listened and learned and just wanted to help a cause they truly believed in.

[AlwaysReal66]

Well I look at her as being young and uninformed, throughout this countries history celerbrities have been endorsing political candidates. There are so many song written through our history geared toward poltical responsibility. So who cares if they are celebrities or not its every americans responsibility to take a stand and have a voice in our nations political outcome. I really wonder what she thinks of the Rush lumbaugh's, Shawn Hannity's, and Bill O'Reily's of the world. They are celebrities in there own right who supported there candidate. As well as slandered Obama and his family. Hummmmmm guess the world will never know. Guess she is a Elizabeth Hasselbeck fan.

[ccmd]

"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions,"

so, celebrities can't make their own decisons also? shu t up lady!!!!

[rangla]

She's from Oklahoma - the state that had the highest percentage in voting for McCain.

[invisible]

Pretty ignorant on her part. Why is she judging people? It's THEIR business if they want to endorse a candidate.

[EileneLepht]

Why does this article only name Obama supporters? Does she only dislike them or is she also speaking of all the celebrity endorsements for McCain too. If so, why does this article leave them out? There were alot of outspoken Republican celebs this time around.

[Rmchairphilo]

I guess she's saying that celebrities aren't entitled to have opinions. I guess she also thinks that anyone cares whether or not she respects them.

[Motherunit]

I have found that some celebrities are pretty darn smart, and I enjoy when they share their thoughts here on HuffPost, on tv and elsewhere in the media. During this campaign, all of us supported our candidate in whatever way we were able. I donated money, made phone calls, displayed yard signs, bumperstickers & buttons - whatever I could do. Many celebrities chose to show their support, and the fact that they were able to reach more people shouldn't disqualify them from expressing their opinions. If Carrie Whatsername decided to keep her endorsements to herself, that's her privelege, but everyone is entitled to voice an opinion. That includes celebrities.

[jemiltd]

I just think that it's interesting to believe that you are taking some moral high ground when the premise is groundless. Celebrity endorsement rarely affects a person's decision. At best, it simply is a reaffirmation of the individual's decision -- which makes us feel good -- or it's a good opportunity to revisit your reasons for making a different choice. The only exception is when Oprah uses her show to endorse an item or person and, to her credit, she did not allow her show to be used as a political platform during this race. BTW, Carrie forgets that when she walks a red carpet and tells us whose dress, handbag, shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup she's wearing, she is endorsing.

[johnnyjust]

It's interesting the anger and lack of respect shown for this celebrity who has spoken her mind.

[jfriday829]

I just saw her on a Mario Kart commercial. So let me get this straight... endorsing products = ok, endorsing political candidates = not ok?

[peterhowitt]

Once they start paying $50,000 an hour for a political endorsement she will climb down from her moral high ground no doubt.

Hypocrisy usually defers to fiscal rewards

[swellsoire]

The light's on. No one's home.