Shania Twain has issued a powerful call for greater diversity and equality in the country music industry, using her platform to promote more inclusive representation on stage and screen.
The legendary artist made her stance clear at Sunday's CMT Awards, where she accepted the prestigious Equal Play Award. In her acceptance speech, Twain emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers within the genre, citing her own experiences as a trailblazer for women in country music.
"When I wrote 'Man I Feel Like a Woman,' I had no idea it would become an anthem for generations to come," she said, referencing one of her biggest hits. "But its impact has been immense, empowering countless communities around the world and providing a beacon of hope for those who feel marginalized."
Twain believes that country music's rich history is built on a foundation of inclusivity, stating, "We're family." However, she argued that the current industry standard does a disservice to this ethos by failing to adequately represent diverse voices.
To address this, Twain has highlighted several emerging artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and more. By spotlighting these talented musicians, Twain aims to promote a more inclusive and equitable platform for all artists, regardless of their background or genre.
"I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer," Twain vowed. "Together, let's ensure that every fellow artist gets equal play, regardless of gender, age, or race." Her powerful words have sparked a renewed conversation about the importance of diversity and inclusion in country music, with many fans and artists taking note.
In a heartwarming moment during her acceptance speech, Twain also performed an acappella duet with The BoykinZ, an African American singing group made up of sisters who are rising stars in their own right. This collaboration marked a poignant connection between Twain's advocacy for diversity and the importance of nurturing emerging talent within the industry.
The legendary artist made her stance clear at Sunday's CMT Awards, where she accepted the prestigious Equal Play Award. In her acceptance speech, Twain emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers within the genre, citing her own experiences as a trailblazer for women in country music.
"When I wrote 'Man I Feel Like a Woman,' I had no idea it would become an anthem for generations to come," she said, referencing one of her biggest hits. "But its impact has been immense, empowering countless communities around the world and providing a beacon of hope for those who feel marginalized."
Twain believes that country music's rich history is built on a foundation of inclusivity, stating, "We're family." However, she argued that the current industry standard does a disservice to this ethos by failing to adequately represent diverse voices.
To address this, Twain has highlighted several emerging artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and more. By spotlighting these talented musicians, Twain aims to promote a more inclusive and equitable platform for all artists, regardless of their background or genre.
"I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer," Twain vowed. "Together, let's ensure that every fellow artist gets equal play, regardless of gender, age, or race." Her powerful words have sparked a renewed conversation about the importance of diversity and inclusion in country music, with many fans and artists taking note.
In a heartwarming moment during her acceptance speech, Twain also performed an acappella duet with The BoykinZ, an African American singing group made up of sisters who are rising stars in their own right. This collaboration marked a poignant connection between Twain's advocacy for diversity and the importance of nurturing emerging talent within the industry.
I'm loving this movement Shania's starting! It's about time we see more faces from different walks of life in country music 
. I mean, she's not just talking the talk, she's walking it too by spotlighting these amazing artists on her tour. Lily Rose and Mickey Guyton are already killing it on Spotify 
. We need more of this kind of representation, like that collab with The BoykinZ was pure magic 
. It's awesome Shania's using her platform to make a difference – now let's see the industry take note 
!
Shania is so on point 
! It's about time someone uses their platform to speak out against inequality in country music. I'm loving that she's using her tour to highlight more diverse artists, it's a great way to bring some fresh faces and perspectives into the genre. And that acappella duet with The BoykinZ was so inspiring 
! It's amazing how one person can make such a big impact with their words and actions 
.
Shania Twain is literally giving us LIFE with her acceptance speech at the CMT Awards! I mean, have you seen the lineup for her "Queen of Me" tour? She's really putting her money where her mouth is by highlighting these amazing artists from diverse backgrounds. It's about time we saw more representation on stage and screen - it's not just about breaking down barriers, but also about lifting up those who are often overlooked.
and I can see why it's become an anthem for generations now. Its message of female empowerment is still so relevant today 
. The fact that she performed with The BoykinZ was so beautiful 
and Shania just used her platform to bring up the elephant in the room. I mean, she's right tho, we need more voices on stage and screen, especially from artists like Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell & Mickey Guyton... they're killing it over there! 
. I'm so down for more Shania Twain vibes and less segregation in country music 
. The fact that she's using her platform to bring attention to artists like Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters is totally on point 
! The fact that she performed with an all-black female group is pure magic 
. We're living our best lives when we celebrate each other's uniqueness #LoveIsTheAnswer 
. Country music's got a rich history, but sometimes you gotta mix it up to keep it fresh 
!
... she's not just talking about tokenism, she's genuinely trying to shake up the system 
. Like, what if the CMT Awards started giving out awards for diversity and inclusion too? 
That would be a game-changer! And I'm all for artists being held accountable for their representation 
... like, do they even fact-check who's performing at festivals and events these days? 