Kelly Clarkson has expressed surprise over Beyoncé‘s lack of nominations for the 2024 CMA Awards, voicing her thoughts on the country music industry’s challenges, particularly for artists like herself and Beyoncé who straddle multiple genres.
In an interview with NBC10 Boston, Clarkson discussed her own attempt to break into country music, recalling how industry insiders pressured her to leave pop behind entirely if she wanted success in the country world. “That’s a hard industry, even for me,” Clarkson, 41, said, noting that she was told her songs wouldn’t make it to country radio unless she “quit pop” altogether.
This experience resonated with Clarkson when discussing Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, which despite its chart-topping success, received no nominations for the 58th Annual CMA Awards. “I find it fascinating,” Clarkson remarked. “Those songs were everywhere.”
She’s not wrong. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with its lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” also hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additional singles, including “II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus and her widely praised cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” also climbed the charts.
Clarkson’s own ventures into country music, such as her singles “Don’t Rush” with Vince Gill and “Tie It Up,” followed her earlier success with the Jason Aldean duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Yet, despite her track record, Clarkson said, “I was literally told to my face… if I didn’t quit pop music, I would not be played [on country radio].”
She empathized with Beyoncé’s potential struggles, noting their shared Texas roots. “We both grew up on country music,” Clarkson said. “I imagine Beyoncé did too. We’re Texans, you can’t escape it growing up there.”
For Clarkson, the idea of having to choose between genres felt limiting. “It just seemed like the door was closed unless I was all-in,” she explained. “But I don’t think people like me, or even Beyoncé, are capable of just picking one. We love dabbling. Why limit yourself?”
Despite the challenges, Clarkson said she’s come to terms with her own path in the music industry. “At the end of the day, I’ve always learned, it’s not about the awards. People are showing up,” she said, noting Beyoncé’s enormous fan base. “The real win is that you don’t even need the award.”
Nominations for the 58th CMA Awards, revealed on September 6, saw Morgan Wallen leading with seven nominations, followed by Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson with five each. Other notable nominees included Luke Combs, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll.
During an episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the conversation, stating that Beyoncé’s music may simply not resonate with traditional country voters. “I don’t think she was snubbed,” Goldberg said, “I think it just wasn’t for them.”
Despite the snub, Clarkson remains firm in her admiration for Beyoncé’s music and its reach. “People love hearing different things from us,” she concluded. “That’s the win—being true to ourselves, whether or not it’s recognized by award shows.”