Country music icon Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at the CMT Awards to address a crucial issue in the genre: equal play and diversity. In a powerful statement, Twain called for more inclusivity and representation in country music, arguing that the industry has become "a real disservice" to its rich history.
Twain pointed to her own journey as an inspiration for change, saying she had no idea when writing her hit phrase "Man I feel like a woman" that it would empower so many. She cited how this statement has been adopted by diverse communities worldwide and become a powerful symbol of strength. For Twain, the phrase represents a genuine path to power that brings her immense joy.
Emphasizing her commitment to an all-inclusive country music scene, Twain stated, "We're family." She believes in a genre with a rich history that nurtured her songwriting and performance career from childhood, yet currently falls short by failing to honor its own diversity. This disservice is particularly evident when it comes to the industry standard, which does not provide equal play for all artists regardless of their gender, age, or race.
Twain highlighted her efforts to promote change through her "Queen of Me" tour this year, featuring diverse acts such as Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. She vows to continue being a trailblazer, ensuring that all fellow artists receive equal recognition regardless of these factors.
Twain's connection with the African American singing group The BoykinZ is also noteworthy. After Kelly Clarkson surprised them by bringing Twain out to meet them during an episode of Clarkson's daytime talk show, Twain connected with the sisters and performed acappella with their group onstage at the CMT Awards. This moment showcases Twain's commitment to uplifting emerging talent from underrepresented communities.
Ultimately, Twain's message is a powerful call to action for country music to become more inclusive, representative, and equitable. By embracing diversity and promoting equal play, the genre can honor its rich history while forging a brighter future for all artists.
Twain pointed to her own journey as an inspiration for change, saying she had no idea when writing her hit phrase "Man I feel like a woman" that it would empower so many. She cited how this statement has been adopted by diverse communities worldwide and become a powerful symbol of strength. For Twain, the phrase represents a genuine path to power that brings her immense joy.
Emphasizing her commitment to an all-inclusive country music scene, Twain stated, "We're family." She believes in a genre with a rich history that nurtured her songwriting and performance career from childhood, yet currently falls short by failing to honor its own diversity. This disservice is particularly evident when it comes to the industry standard, which does not provide equal play for all artists regardless of their gender, age, or race.
Twain highlighted her efforts to promote change through her "Queen of Me" tour this year, featuring diverse acts such as Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. She vows to continue being a trailblazer, ensuring that all fellow artists receive equal recognition regardless of these factors.
Twain's connection with the African American singing group The BoykinZ is also noteworthy. After Kelly Clarkson surprised them by bringing Twain out to meet them during an episode of Clarkson's daytime talk show, Twain connected with the sisters and performed acappella with their group onstage at the CMT Awards. This moment showcases Twain's commitment to uplifting emerging talent from underrepresented communities.
Ultimately, Twain's message is a powerful call to action for country music to become more inclusive, representative, and equitable. By embracing diversity and promoting equal play, the genre can honor its rich history while forging a brighter future for all artists.
I gotta say, Shania Twain is totally on point about this country music industry thing 
. Like, come on, it's 2025 and we're still dealing with unequal play? That's not fair to the artists who are trying to make a name for themselves, especially the ones from underrepresented communities 
. I mean, Twain's "Queen of Me" tour is a great start, but we need more movement 
. The industry needs to get its act together and give all artists equal recognition regardless of their background. It's not like it's rocket science, folks 
. And kudos to Twain for using her platform to uplift emerging talent, that's what we need more of in the music industry 
. Let's make country music inclusive and representative once and for all!
! I'm so down with her "we're family" vibe and the fact that she's featuring diverse acts on her tour is amazing 
. but what's crazy is that she has no idea how much of an impact her song "man i feel like a woman" would have on people - it's like, that phrase has become this empowering anthem for so many communities worldwide 
! and can we talk about The BoykinZ? introducing them to Shania Twain was such a beautiful moment 
. let's hope more artists follow her lead and promote inclusivity in country music 
I gotta say, it's about time someone spoke up about this. Shania Twain is a total boss for calling out the lack of diversity in country music. I mean, who hasn't felt like a man when they're stuck in a genre that's supposed to be all about heartache and trucks? 
And kudos to Kelly Clarkson for introducing Twain to The BoykinZ, it's awesome to see artists supporting each other. 
Now, let's get this country music scene more inclusive and equal, no more playing favorites because of gender, age, or skin color... that's just basic, folks! 
. I gotta admit, when i first heard "man i feel like a woman", it was just a fun song, but now i realize its impact on people's lives is so much bigger than that 
. shania's tour with diverse artists this year is giving me LIFE 
women and folks of color, duh! 
... I mean, Shania Twain is awesome and all, but what about other artists who aren't trying to be "trailblazers" like her? shouldn't we just let people sing from the heart instead of making it all about being inclusive 
... and btw, some of those diverse acts she mentioned on tour are pretty talented, so I guess that's a win 
... but what if country music gets too watered down by trying to be everything to everyone? will we lose that authentic twang that makes the genre so special? 
. Shania's all-inclusive message is exactly what we need right now - "We're family" 
. I'm so excited to see her tour this year and the lineup looks amazing! Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters... it's gonna be lit 
. Can't wait to hear more artists speak up about this too 
she's like my ultimate icon 
️ we need more artists speaking up like this, especially from underrepresented communities. it's about time we saw some real representation on stage 
.
. It's amazing how music can have such a powerful impact on our lives! 
And it's clear that Twain is all about spreading love and acceptance, whether through her tour or just by being herself 
, but I'm here for Twain's commitment to change. It's time for country music to get more diverse and inclusive 
, and it's up to us to make sure everyone has an equal chance to shine. Bring it on, country music! 
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