Kelly Clarkson doesn’t understand why Beyoncé was snubbed by the 2024 CMA Awards, however, it’s something she can relate to.
In a recent interview with NBC10 Boston, the Grammy-winning singer reacted to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album not receiving any nominations at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, as well as opened up about her own challenges in the country music genre.
“I kind of find it fascinating,” she said of the “Texas Hold ‘Em” artist’s snub, “because I feel like those songs were everywhere.”
Cowboy Carter not only scored No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart but also on the Top Country Album chart. Beyoncé also had several songs from the album reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Texas Hold ‘Em” peaking at No. 1.
Clarkson added that the country genre is a “hard” space to break into, even when she tried several years ago with “Don’t Rush,” featuring Vince Gill, “Tie It Up” and “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” her duet with Jason Aldean.
“That’s a hard industry, even for me,” she explained. “I was told at a lunch if I didn’t quit pop music and just go country, I would not be played. I was literally told that to my face at a lunch, and I was like, ‘OK, no offense, but I’m not ever gonna just pick one.’”
The “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” singer said her experience and the rejection she felt in the genre was difficult to cope with as she “grew up on country music,” being from Texas. “I imagine Beyoncé did too. We’re both Texans, so you can’t escape it growing up there,” she added.
“It just seemed like the door was closed unless I was all-in and had to leave every other genre behind, which I don’t think people like me, or even Beyoncé, are capable of doing that. It’s not even a desire or a want, it’s just like, we love dabbling,” Clarkson said. “Why limit yourself?”
The Kelly Clarkson Show host eventually accepted her career path and found joy in her achievements along the way. “At the end of the day, I’ve always kind of learned in this industry, it’s not necessarily about the awards, and it’s not necessarily about any of that, really. People are showing up, right? You’re massive,” she said, referring to Beyoncé.
“People are showing up to my concerts, they like hearing the country stuff from me, they like hearing the pop, they like hearing all the different things,” she continued. “I’m sure they do with her as well. I think the real win there is that you don’t even need the award.”
Earlier this week, the nominations for the 2024 CMA Awards were announced, with Morgan Wallen leading with seven nominations, followed by Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson, who each earned five nods, and Post Malone and Lainey Wilson, who picked up four apiece.
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