Country music icon Shania Twain has used her CMT Award acceptance speech as a platform to advocate for greater diversity and equity in the genre she loves. The legendary singer, who was honored with the Equal Play Award at Sunday's ceremony, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in country music.
Twain, known for hits like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", expressed how her own music has become an empowering anthem for people around the world. She noted that the phrase, which was first introduced in 1999, has been adopted by diverse communities and has given them a sense of power. This connection is not lost on Twain, who believes that country music should be "all-inclusive" - a genre that raised her as an artist.
While acknowledging the industry's shortcomings, Twain pointed out that she owes much of her own success to the rich history of country music. However, according to her, the current standard is letting down this heritage by neglecting diversity.
In response, Twain announced that she will be spotlighting a range of diverse artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour. Her lineup includes Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton and others - women who embody the spirit of inclusivity that Twain is fighting for.
Through her work, Twain aims to break down barriers and ensure that all artists receive equal play regardless of their background. She emphasized that she will continue to be a trailblazer in this pursuit, championing the cause of diversity and equity in country music.
Twain, known for hits like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", expressed how her own music has become an empowering anthem for people around the world. She noted that the phrase, which was first introduced in 1999, has been adopted by diverse communities and has given them a sense of power. This connection is not lost on Twain, who believes that country music should be "all-inclusive" - a genre that raised her as an artist.
While acknowledging the industry's shortcomings, Twain pointed out that she owes much of her own success to the rich history of country music. However, according to her, the current standard is letting down this heritage by neglecting diversity.
In response, Twain announced that she will be spotlighting a range of diverse artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour. Her lineup includes Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton and others - women who embody the spirit of inclusivity that Twain is fighting for.
Through her work, Twain aims to break down barriers and ensure that all artists receive equal play regardless of their background. She emphasized that she will continue to be a trailblazer in this pursuit, championing the cause of diversity and equity in country music.