Shania Twain Unveils Plan for a More Diverse Country Music Industry
Country music legend Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at Sunday's CMT Awards to advocate for equal play and increased diversity within the genre she loves. As she accepted the Equal Play Award, Twain emphasized that one phrase from her hit song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" has become a powerful rallying cry around the world.
"Who would have thought," Twain said wryly, "that a simple statement like 'I feel like a woman' could become an undercurrent of my decades-long career?" Yet this phrase has transcended its origins to inspire countless communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds. It's no surprise that it has been adopted as a symbol of empowerment by women worldwide.
Twain sees herself as part of the very "family" she is advocating for – an inclusive country music industry with a rich history that nurtured her own songwriting, performance, and recording career since childhood. However, according to Twain, the current standard in the industry does a disservice to this rich legacy.
To promote change, Twain announced several acts from diverse backgrounds who will be joining her on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour. These include rising country stars like Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton, as well as rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who presented the Equal Play Award to Twain.
Through her music and platform, Twain aims to make sure that all artists receive equal play – regardless of their gender, age, or racial background. As she put it, "We're all in this together" – a sentiment echoed by her impassioned speech at the CMT Awards.
Country music legend Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at Sunday's CMT Awards to advocate for equal play and increased diversity within the genre she loves. As she accepted the Equal Play Award, Twain emphasized that one phrase from her hit song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" has become a powerful rallying cry around the world.
"Who would have thought," Twain said wryly, "that a simple statement like 'I feel like a woman' could become an undercurrent of my decades-long career?" Yet this phrase has transcended its origins to inspire countless communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds. It's no surprise that it has been adopted as a symbol of empowerment by women worldwide.
Twain sees herself as part of the very "family" she is advocating for – an inclusive country music industry with a rich history that nurtured her own songwriting, performance, and recording career since childhood. However, according to Twain, the current standard in the industry does a disservice to this rich legacy.
To promote change, Twain announced several acts from diverse backgrounds who will be joining her on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour. These include rising country stars like Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, and Mickey Guyton, as well as rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who presented the Equal Play Award to Twain.
Through her music and platform, Twain aims to make sure that all artists receive equal play – regardless of their gender, age, or racial background. As she put it, "We're all in this together" – a sentiment echoed by her impassioned speech at the CMT Awards.