Luke Bryan Says Comments About Beyoncé's CMA Awards Snub Were 'Not Negative': 'I Want Everyone To Win'
Country singer Luke Bryan is clarifying statements he made about Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album being snubbed by this year's CMA Award nominations.
The comments were made on SiriusXM's Andy Cohen Live last week, where Bryan responded to a question about Beyoncé's lack of nods. "Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album," he said. "Nobody's mad about it. But where things get a little tricky — if you're gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit. Beyoncé can do 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... but country music is a lot about family."
He added that the country genre is for everyone and that all artists are more than welcome to make a country album, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be nominated because "a lot of great music is overlooked."
"Just because she made one... just because I make one, I don't get any nominations," he said.
His quotes quickly started making headlines, prompting further discussion on social media and the eventual clarification he posted late Sunday night.
"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," he wrote on X. "I feel in my heart I could not let media create a false narrative. As I read thru the comments of some of you, I just want to say that I encourage all of you to listen to the interview instead of reading clickbait headlines. You will hear my tone and intentions which were not negative. I respect Beyoncé and I love how loyal her fans are. I spend a lot of time supporting other artists. I want everyone to win. Love y'all."
Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em" hit the top spot on Billboard's Hot country songs chart, making her the first Black woman to earn that position in the chart's entire 80-year history. After its March release, Cowboy Carter reached the No. 1 spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart, as well as the country and folk charts.
Bryan is set to co-host this year's 58th Annual CMA Awards alongside Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson. The ceremony airs Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 8/7c on ABC.