Luke Bryan opened up the 2021 CMA Awards with a monologue that referenced Aaron Rodgers‘ recent comments about the COVID-19 vaccine. “We’re following all the health protocols to keep everyone safe and it’s so great to be here with all my fellow artists, tested and together,” Luke said. “Or immunized? Who is it? Just playin’!” The joke was in reference to Aaron saying that he was “immunized” against COVID-19 earlier this year, only for it to be revealed in November that he had not gotten the COVID vaccine.
the closeup of carrie’s face when luke said “all of us are immunized” SENT MEEEEEE #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/vFCK2OSy2M
— Hales ミ☆ 𓆩♡𓆪 (@alltoohail) November 11, 2021
Immediately after Luke made his joke, the cameras panned to Carrie Underwood and her husband, Mike Fisher, who were in the crowd at the CMAs. Mike openly supported Aaron’s stance about the COVID vaccine on social media, and Carrie didn’t look too happy that Luke had made a joke at her husband’s expense. Fans immediately took notice of the reaction, and called Carrie out for her “side eye” in the audience.
“The camera shot of Carrie Underwood when Luke Bryan mentioned who has their shots…priceless,” one fan tweeted. Another wrote. “Carrie Underwood looks less than thrilled to be in the room with these humans,” while another viewer added, “Holy hell did you just see that look Carrie Underwood had in her face.”
Aaron’s COVID-19 controversy made headlines at the beginning of November when it was revealed that he had tested positive for the virus and had not been vaccinated. He was called out for not following the protocols for non-vaccinated NFL players, therefore putting his teammates at risk. However, Aaron vehemently defended his decision to make his own choices about his body.
Mike took to Instagram on Nov. 6 to back Aaron’s choice. “I believe in the freedom to choose what we put in our bodies and the freedom of conscience,” Mike wrote, along with a post that said I Stand With Aaron Rodgers. “I agree with him in that the science clearly shows the vaccinated spread COVID at basically the same rate as the unvaccinated. The NHL, NFL and other leagues are ignoring the science and choosing to coerce and punish unvaccinated players with these restrictions. If they really cared about people’s health, they would have daily testing for all.” Mike faced backlash for spreading misinformation about COVID and the vaccine.
Carrie did not publicly comment on the situation. However, earlier this year, she came under fire for ‘liking’ a tweet that stood against mask mandates for children in schools. Country music fans were very divided over Carrie’s stance on the situation.