Sports reporter and pro-Israel influencer Emily Austin made a pointed statement at the Grammy Awards, not with a slogan or pin, but with a custom-made clutch designed in the image of the American flag.
While several Hollywood celebrities, including Billie Eilish, appeared on the red carpet wearing ‘Ice Out’ pins tied to political messaging, Austin took a different approach. Paired with a sleek black gown and silver top, her USA flag purse was impossible to miss, and intentionally so.
“The American flag is not a fashion accessory. It is a declaration of pride and gratitude,” Austin said afterward. “I am proud to stand for a country that provides freedom. While others use this stage to divide, I chose to walk this carpet as a proud, unapologetic voice for the values that make this nation great.”
Austin, who has built a large following through sports media and outspoken advocacy for Israel and the United States, framed the moment as a quiet but firm response to what she views as growing polarization in pop culture. Rather than slogans or protest symbols, she opted for a national emblem with deep meaning.
The gesture resonated widely online, drawing praise from supporters who saw it as a rare expression of patriotism on a stage often dominated by political signaling. For Austin, the message was simple: pride, unity and gratitude, carried in hand.