Kelly Clarkson backs Beyonce after CMA Awards snub, recalls being told to ‘quit pop’ and ‘go country’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kelly Clarkson recently expressed her surprise over Beyonce's album 'Cowboy Carter' being overlooked in this year’s CMA Awards nominations.

Despite its commercial success and chart-topping single 'Texas Hold 'Em,' the album failed to receive a nod, leaving many, including Clarkson, surprised.

Beyonce’s 'Cowboy Carter' featured collaborations with country legends like Willie Nelson and Linda Martell. It topped the Billboard 200 and Beyonce made history by becoming the first Black woman to lead Billboard’s Hot Country Albums chart.

Despite these milestones, she did not secure a spot on the CMA Awards nomination list.

Kelly Clarkson surprised by Beyonce's CMA Awards snub

"I find it fascinating because I feel like those songs were everywhere," Kelly Clarkson said in an interview with NBC10 Boston.

She acknowledged that while awards are important, the bigger achievement is in the fans' overwhelming support. 

"At the end of the day, I mean, I've always kind of learned in this industry, it's not necessarily about the awards and it’s not necessarily about any of that really," Clarkson said.

"It's just people are showing up though, right? Like, you're massive."

Although it didn't receive any award nominations, 'Cowboy Carter' enjoyed commercial success. The lead track, 'Texas Hold 'Em,' reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, while Beyonce's loyal fanbase helped the album shatter streaming records.

Clarkson said based on her own experience, breaking into the country music scene is quite challenging. Even she faced difficulties after collaborating with stars like Vince Gill on 'Don't Rush', and Jason Aldean on 'Don't You Wanna Stay'.

"“That’s a hard industry, even for me. I was told at a lunch, if I didn't quit pop music and just go country, I would not be played," Clarkson said.

"I was literally told that to my face at a lunch, and I was like, 'Okay, I mean, no offense, but, like, I'm not ever gonna just pick one'."

Clarkson confessed that she found the rejection in the genre hard. 

"That was a hard hit for me because I grew up on country music. I imagine Beyonce did too. We're both Texans, so you can't escape it, you know, growing up there."

“It just seemed like the door was closed unless I was all-in and had to leave every other genre behind, which I don’t think people like me, or even Beyonce, are capable of doing that. It’s not even a desire or a want, it’s just like, we love dabbling,” Clarkson said.

“Why limit yourself?”

Clarkson has built her career on a mix of genres and embraces the variety that resonates with her audience.

“The crowds like hearing the country stuff. They like hearing the pop,” Clarkson said, emphasizing that music fans appreciate a blend of styles.

She concluded by noting that awards aren't everything, stating, "I think the real win there is that you don't even need the award."

Whoopi Goldberg explains why Beyonce's CMA Awards snub isn’t a surprise

Whoopi Goldberg shared her insights into Beyonce's absence from the 2024 CMA Awards nominations for her album 'Cowboy Carter'. Despite the album’s commercial success and critical acclaim, Beyonce’s fans and peers were stunned by the lack of recognition from the Country Music Association.

Goldberg suggested that the reaction might be misplaced.

“A lot of people are surprised — I don't know why — that it didn’t receive a single CMA Award nomination,” Goldberg said.

“Well, this is the question: Are you surprised? I don’t think she was snubbed; I think they just didn’t... it wasn’t for them.”

Sunny Hostin, Goldberg’s 'The View' co-host, voiced her disappointment. “I happen to love Dolly Parton, so I felt that when the Queen of Country sort of passed the baton a little bit for 'Jolene', which was an incredible song on her album, and 'Texas Hold 'Em,' two incredible country songs, I thought she would at least get nominated for those two.”