Over the weekend, country music star Keith Urban performed at a holiday party hosted by Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt at the Mar-a-Lago resort, owned by former President Donald Trump. The intimate gathering featured Urban accompanied by a small band, as videos shared on social media showcased his unique renditions of popular songs, including Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and Bob Marley & The Wailers’ classic “Is This Love?”. Urban also presented his recent single “Messed Up as Me,” which has peaked at No. 12 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Tali Israel, a realtor who attended the event, posted clips on Instagram commenting on the impressive company and Urban’s performance. Anthony Pratt, who has recently pledged five billion dollars to American manufacturing projects, added a notable dimension to the evening.
Despite the celebration, Urban’s choice to perform at a Trump event has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some expressed their disappointment on social media, like Butch Walker, guitarist for Train, who candidly shared his dismay. Others speculated that Urban may have meant to be ironic with his performance choices, considering the political context.
Urban has deliberately maintained a level of ambiguity regarding his political affiliations, stressing the importance of understanding an artist’s work rather than merely their public persona. He revealed in a recent interview, “I play to extremely diverse audiences in every way, politically and pronoun, age groups, ethnicity.” This sentiment echoes his earlier comments from 2017, expressing caution about his connections to political performances.
Interestingly, the performance took place shortly after Urban’s separation from actress Nicole Kidman, who filed for divorce after nearly two decades of marriage citing irreconcilable differences.
Pratt, the executive chairman of Pratt Industries—a leader in recycled paper and packaging—previously made headlines during a holiday party in 2022 when comedian Chris Rock ended his set abruptly over a no-filming policy violation.
As the conversation around Urban’s performance continues to evolve, both Chappell Roan and the Marley estate have not yet commented on the matter. The event reflects the complex intersection of music, politics, and personal circumstances that public figures navigate, making Urban’s appearance a talking point in both entertainment and cultural discussions.