Kacey Musgraves donates $10K to hometown scholarship fund after backlash over insulting Texas

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kacey Musgraves made headlines after facing backlash for a comment she made about her hometown of Golden, Texas, during a concert in Canada.

While on stage earlier this month, the 36-year-old country music star had said that Golden was "not something to cheer for," which sparked strong reactions from the town’s residents. Many felt hurt and insulted by her words, accusing her of belittling the place where she grew up.

Kacey Musgraves donates $10K to hometown scholarship fund in response to backlash

According to the Daily Mail, in an effort to make amends, Kacey Musgraves responded by donating $10,000 to the Alba-Golden Seniors Scholarship Fund, a local charity that supports students from her hometown.

The backlash began after Musgraves made the comment while performing in Canada, where she described Golden as “not something to cheer for.” The remark did not sit well with many of her hometown's residents, who criticized Musgraves for appearing ungrateful and disrespectful to the community that had supported her.

Some called her “elitist” and accused her of forgetting her roots. The controversy escalated as the comment went viral, leading to further discussions online about Musgraves’ relationship with her hometown.

In response to the backlash, Musgraves took to her Instagram Story to explain her remark and apologize for any offense it caused. The seven-time Grammy winner clarified that her comment was intended as a “sarcastic, completely unserious joke” and explained that she had not meant to insult Golden.

“For real, though. I cherish where I'm from. It's sacred to me,” Musgraves wrote, emphasizing that she had a deep love for her hometown, despite acknowledging the challenges of balancing her pride in Texas with her personal views that sometimes differ from the more conservative opinions in the state.

Kacey Musgraves explains 'not something to cheer for' comment

The 'Butterflies' hitmaker elaborated on her comment about Golden, stating that she was referring to the town's small size and lack of amenities, which led her to say it was “not something to cheer for.” "Most people would be shocked to see that where I come from is so hilariously small there isn't even one stoplight," she shared.

"Not even one real grocery store. It's too small for a school or even a population sign." Musgraves continued, clarifying that when she said “not something to cheer for,” she meant that Golden was a place that “ain’t got much going on,” but also a place that holds “deep meaning and its own kind of beauty.”

Musgraves explained that her comment was not intended to be a slight against the people of Golden. “A place can hold deep meaning and its own kind of beauty and I can also be like: ‘Wow lol. This place ain't got much going on,’” she said.

She further acknowledged that her differing political views might have compounded the impact of her words, apologizing for any offense caused. "It wasn't a dig on y'all. I promise," she assured her followers, making it clear that her words were not meant to hurt anyone.

Kacey Musgraves donates $10,000 to Alba-Golden Seniors Scholarship Fund

In addition to her apology, Kacey Musgraves made the $10,000 donation to the Alba-Golden Seniors Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students in Golden.

The organization praised Musgraves for her generous contribution. "She expressed how much she still appreciates and loves Golden, and we are grateful for her kind words," the Alba-Golden Seniors Scholarship Fund said in a statement. "We take great pride in our community and the kindness we show to one another. It’s a reminder to always remember where our roots are."

The Golden community, in turn, rallied together in the face of the controversy. To show their pride and resilience, local residents raised over $6,000 by selling t-shirts with the slogan “Golden, Texas: Something to cheer for.”

The t-shirts quickly became a symbol of local pride, with many taking to social media to express their love for the town and their unwavering support for each other. This fundraising effort highlighted that, despite Musgraves’ controversial comment, the spirit of Golden remained strong and united.

Kacey Musgraves' successful career includes many hit albums

Kacey Musgraves, who first gained national attention in 2007 on the reality show Nashville Star, has built a successful career that spans multiple hit albums and numerous awards.

Her debut album, 'Same Trailer, Different Park', released in 2013, was met with critical acclaim, and her 2018 album, 'Golden Hour', won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Musgraves has also released other successful albums, including 'Pageant Material' (2015), 'A Very Kacey Christmas' (2016), 'Star-Crossed' (2021), and 'Deeper Well' (2024), solidifying her position as one of country music’s brightest stars.