Carrie Underwood Says Critics Need Jesus

Sure, critics and fans on Twitter might not have thought Carrie Underwood in Sound of Music Live was their favorite thing, but, now, the singer and American Idol alum is firing back at those who called her performance, among other things, unconvincing and emotionless. On Friday night, one night after posting mostly positive words about the live television event, Underwood referenced the haters quite simply: "Plain and simple: Mean people need Jesus. They will be in my prayers tonight... 1 Peter 2:1-25." (The Bible verse the singer is referring to? "Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.")

Her words come after even Sound of Music alums themselves panned Underwood's performance in Julie Andrews' former role. Kym Karath, the actress who played Gretl in the 1965 version of Sound of Music, tweeted that the special was "painful to watch." Wrote the actress, "Love Carrie Underwood but this role is just not right for her. She is lovely her voice is beautiful but acting is wrong."

Critics, though, were far harsher on Underwood: See The Hollywood Reporter 's live blog of Sound of Music Live , in which senior editor Marc Bernardin wrote, "If I close my eyes, Carrie Underwood sounds fine. But her eyes aren't quite as alive as the hills." Or, as Bustle's own Kelsea Stahler wrote, "She appears too preoccupied getting the songs and dances correct — both of which she tackles wonderfully — to actually act when she’s confronted with the emotional development of her von Trapp romance. When Brigitta finally tells Maria she’s in love with the Captain, it’s news to Maria and to us too."

So, to all who didn't quite enjoy Underwood's performance: Time to let go of that wheel.

Image: Will Hart/NBC