Beyoncé fans have been in an uproar since the star's country music crossover album Cowboy Carter was snubbed by this year's CMA Awards nominations—but some music industry professionals weren't surprised.
In a recent interview, Kelly Clarkson was asked for her take on why the “Texas Hold ’Em" singer didn't get any CMA nods, and while her response made sense to some fans, others took issue with her opinion.
"I kind of find it fascinating because I feel like the songs were everywhere," Clarkson said in response to the initial question, revealing that she was talked out of trying to do country music herself some years ago.
"I was told, at a lunch, if I didn't quit pop music and just go country, I would not be played," she explained. "I was literally told that to my face at a lunch, and I was like OK, I mean, no offense, but I'm not ever gonna just pick one. That was a very hard hit for me because I grew up on country music. I imagine Beyoncé did too, we're both Texans, so you can't escape it."
The "Since You've Been Gone" songstress seemed to think Beyoncé's versatility was working against her in this case, noting that musical artists often get pigeonholed. However, Clarkson concluded that awards aren't ultimately what matters anyway.
"At the end of the day, 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, it's just, people are showing up though, right? Like you, you're massive, you know what I'm saying?" Clarkson continued.
"I think the real win there is you don't even need the award," she added.
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On social media, some fans felt that Clarkson took the question as an opportunity to talk about herself.
"Kelly was like, me me me me lmaooo and what about Post Malone , why does he get a free pass?" wrote one X user.
Others, however, felt that Clarkson made a valid point.
"I’m confused at why people are mad at this answer…. Bey has said a lot of this herself and Kelly making it a point to prove that it’s not just Bey that experiences that 'rejection' from the powers that be in the country realm," pointed out another commenter.
"Where do y'all get that she made it about herself? She's basically saying that black women (and black people in general) have it even harder and confirms that if you're a white man you can get away with changing genres but not if you're a woman or POC," agreed someone else.
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