Kash Patel’s girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, has received mixed reactions following her performance at the Great American State Fair.
The country singer performed the national anthem at the event’s kickoff ceremony, less than 24 hours after responding to critics who questioned her selection.
Due to her relationship with the FBI director, Wilkins has reportedly received repeated death threats and is now under full-time security protection.
Alexis Wilkins’ Fair Performance Gets Mixed Reviews
Fans on social media have been weighing in on Alexis Wilkins’ performance at the kickoff event of the Great American State Fair.
Some online users were critical of her singing, describing it as underwhelming and below the standard expected for such a high-profile event.
“It’s mid. No better but no worse than the average rendition at the local 5K race,” one wrote.
“Me personally, I would rather listen to a dog fart through a tin pipe than listen to her,” someone else commented.
Several other users, however, felt Wilkins’ performance was perfectly fine and argued that she should not have received so much criticism.
“I read scathing reviews, but IMO this is perfectly serviceable. Not Lady Gaga or Jack Black level, but it’s fine,” one positive reviewer said.
Wilkins Defends Her Freedom 250 Booking
Days earlier, Wilkins addressed criticism surrounding her booking to perform at the Great American State Fair.
The country singer, who is in a relationship with FBI Director Kash Patel, responded with a lengthy post on X, defending her selection and arguing that she had earned the opportunity through her success as a musician.
“I have been a country music artist for years now. I have had a successful career in both music and commentary/strategy,” the country musician wrote on X. “People don’t get to negate that for clicks or headlines. I was invited to sing this anthem on my own accord, as I have been many other places throughout my career.”
Alexis Wilkins Denies Taxpayer Money Claims
Further defending herself, Wilkins noted that the performance was free and that no taxpayer money was used.
She also claimed that the Freedom 250 celebration was organized through a “fundraising arm,” and criticized freelance journalist Sara Higdon for implying otherwise in a comment.
Wilkins went on to say that she would no longer remain silent in the face of comments that diminish the hard work she has put into building her career.
“I’m no longer accepting false narratives and total sham accusations that diminish my hard work and earned accomplishments, so please expect this kind of response to continue,” she added.
Wilkins Takes MS NOW To Court
Earlier in the month, Wilkins filed a lawsuit against MS NOW and two of its reporters, Ken Dilanian and Carol Leonnig.
She accused them of relying on “sham” anonymous sources to publish “knowingly or recklessly false allegations” about her, according to NBC News.
Filed in federal court in Nashville, the suit also claimed the network falsely reported that Wilkins had federal agents escort an intoxicated friend home after a “night of partying.”
Her attorneys argued that the security detail “did not even exist at the time” and insisted the report also falsely portrayed Wilkins as intoxicated, despite the fact that “she does not drink.”
The lawsuit further stated that the allegations were “highly offensive” and harmed her reputation as “a responsible, sober young woman.”
Alexis Wilkins Seeks More Than $75,000
Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Wilkins’ attorneys argued that MS NOW’s alleged false reporting amounted to more than mere defamation for Wilkins.
They claimed that it “directly and proximately caused” the singer to “suffer humiliation and actual damages to her professional identity, reputation, and standing in the community.”
As part of the lawsuit, Wilkins is seeking a jury trial and damages exceeding $75,000.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, MS NOW has declined to retract the statements in question and appears prepared to defend its reporting in court should the case proceed to trial.
“We stand firmly behind MS NOW’s reporting. As a general matter of practice, we don’t comment on ongoing legal matters,” MS NOW President Rebecca Kutler said in a statement at the time.