Country music icon Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at Sunday's CMT Awards to call for greater equity and diversity in the genre, which she feels has been lacking. The legendary star was presented with the Equal Play Award, a nod to her tireless efforts as a trailblazer in country music.
Twain reflected on one of her biggest hits, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman," stating that when it was written, she had no idea it would become an anthem for generations. However, the phrase has transcended its origins and empowered numerous communities worldwide, becoming a symbol of power and strength.
The country music industry, Twain believes, must undergo a transformative shift towards inclusivity. She envisions an all-encompassing genre that celebrates diversity, citing her own upbringing in the industry as a testament to its potential. However, she noted that the current standard does a disservice to emerging artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.
Twain showcased her commitment to promoting diverse talent by highlighting several artists set to appear on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton. By spotlighting these acts, Twain aims to provide a platform for underrepresented voices to shine.
The country music icon emphasized that she will continue to champion equal representation in the industry, urging fellow artists to join her in advocating for fair play regardless of age, gender, or racial background. Twain's message was further underscored by her heartwarming performance with African American singing group The BoykinZ during the CMT Awards, a testament to her dedication to fostering connections between diverse voices within country music.
Twain reflected on one of her biggest hits, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman," stating that when it was written, she had no idea it would become an anthem for generations. However, the phrase has transcended its origins and empowered numerous communities worldwide, becoming a symbol of power and strength.
The country music industry, Twain believes, must undergo a transformative shift towards inclusivity. She envisions an all-encompassing genre that celebrates diversity, citing her own upbringing in the industry as a testament to its potential. However, she noted that the current standard does a disservice to emerging artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.
Twain showcased her commitment to promoting diverse talent by highlighting several artists set to appear on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton. By spotlighting these acts, Twain aims to provide a platform for underrepresented voices to shine.
The country music icon emphasized that she will continue to champion equal representation in the industry, urging fellow artists to join her in advocating for fair play regardless of age, gender, or racial background. Twain's message was further underscored by her heartwarming performance with African American singing group The BoykinZ during the CMT Awards, a testament to her dedication to fostering connections between diverse voices within country music.
I love how Shania is finally using her platform to speak up for change in the country music industry 
! It's about time we see some real representation and diversity on those stages. I mean, have you seen the lineup for her tour? Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters... these ladies are breaking barriers and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
The fact that Shania is not just talking about it, but also showing up with artists from different backgrounds, it's a beautiful thing 
. I'm so proud to see her using her power to uplift others and create a more inclusive space for everyone. Can't wait to see what other moves she makes! 
. Shania's efforts to shine a light on underrepresented artists are a great start, and it's awesome that she's committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive space for everyone. I'm definitely excited for her "Queen of Me" tour and can't wait to see Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton take the stage 
.
...and it's about time someone called out the lack of diversity and equity in country music 
. The fact that she's using her platform to highlight emerging artists from marginalized backgrounds is a huge step forward 
. I'm hyped for her "Queen of Me" tour, especially with acts like Lily Rose and Mickey Guyton on board 
...not just for the sake of diversity, but also for the sake of creating better music 
. It's kinda inspiring to see someone with that kind of platform using it for good, you feel? 
I gotta say, it's about time Shania Twain is speaking up about this stuff! She's been in the industry for ages and has seen firsthand how it can be super exclusive. I'm all for diversity and inclusivity, and it's awesome that she's using her platform to bring attention to these issues. 
The fact that she's highlighting other artists on her tour is a great start - we need more opportunities like that for emerging talent from different backgrounds.
It's like, how many times do we need to see the same old faces up on that stage? We need more diverse voices and perspectives, you know? 
.