Country star Luke Bryan has responded to the uproar surrounding his recent comments on Beyoncé’s lack of nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards. In a candid interview with SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen on October 1, Bryan initially remarked that Beyoncé should “be country with us a little bit” and suggested she attend country award shows to “high five us.” His comments sparked a wave of online discourse, leading Bryan to issue a clarification on X (formerly Twitter).
In his latest statement, Bryan emphasized his deep respect for Beyoncé, lauding her artistry and the dedication of her fans. “I respect Beyoncé… I want everyone to win,” he said, addressing what he called “the ridiculous nature” of the media’s portrayal of his remarks. He urged fans to listen to the interview in full, asserting that his tone was never negative.
Beyoncé’s foray into country music with her Cowboy Carter album and hit single “Texas Hold ‘Em” made history, with Beyoncé becoming the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Despite this, her work didn’t receive nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards, a point Bryan acknowledged in his original comments. He explained that while the voting body chooses what they deem worthy, “a lot of great music is overlooked.”
Ahead of Cowboy Carter’s release in March, Beyoncé revealed the album’s inspiration stemmed from feeling “not welcomed” in a past experience, leading to collaborations with country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Although the album saw historic success on the charts, it struggled to gain traction on country radio, with “Texas Hold ‘Em” peaking at No. 33 on airplay charts. The CMA Awards, set for November 20, will go on without a nomination for Beyoncé’s groundbreaking project.