Beyoncé Didn’t Receive Any CMA Award Nominations This Year
Luke Bryan wants to clear the air regarding how he feels about Beyoncé.
Beyoncé released a new, country-inspired album earlier this year, Cowboy Carter. The album hit #1 on the Top Country Albums chart and produced the #1 country hit, “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
While Beyoncé herself said Cowboy Carter “ain’t a country album,” it contained country influences. It also featured established country stars like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, who provided interludes.
When the CMA announced its nominees for its upcoming awards ceremony on November 20, Beyoncé didn’t receive a single nomination. This upset many of her fans, who believed she deserved to be recognized.
People in the country music community have been asked how they feel about the “snub.” Dolly Parton, who appears on Cowboy Carter, defended the CMA’s decision while also supporting Beyoncé.
“But it was a wonderful album,” Dolly said. “She can be very, very proud of, and I think everybody in country music welcomed her and thought that, that was good. So I don’t think it was a matter of shutting out, like doing that on purpose. I think it was just more of what the country charts and the country artists were doing, that do that all the time, not just a specialty album.”
CMA Awards Host Luke Bryan Receives Backlash After Commenting On Beyoncé’s Snub
As one of the CMA Awards‘ three hosts this year, Luke Bryan got asked to offer up his opinion on Beyonce’s snub. He told Andy Cohen:
“I’m all for everybody coming in and making country albums and all that. But just by declaring that, just because she made one. I don’t need [a nomination], just ’cause I make one.”
Continuing, Luke said:
“Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it. But where things get a little tricky and, and you know — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit.”
He added:
“Beyoncé can do it exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that.”
Luke Dismisses “False Narrative” Surrounding His Beyoncé Comments
Reactions to Luke’s comments were mixed. Some agreed with what he said, while many others criticized him. Those upset with Luke’s comments believed he had negative feelings about Beyoncé and Cowboy Carter.
Following the backlash, Luke felt the need to address the “false narrative” that his comments had negative sentiments behind them.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night (October 6), he wrote:
“I am posting tonight based on the ridiculous nature of the headlines I have read the last couple days from an interview on the Andy Cohen show I did this week when I was promoting my album. I feel in my heart I could not let media create a false narrative…I encourage all of you to listen to the interview instead of reading click bait headlines. You will hear my tone and intentions which were not negative.”
Luke added that he has “respect” for Beyoncé and her loyal fanbase. “I spend a lot of time supporting other artists. I want everyone to win,” he said.
You can read Luke Bryan’s full post addressing his Beyoncé comments below.