Luke Bryan Clarifies His Comments on Beyoncé’s CMA Awards Snub Weren’t ‘Negative’

• Luke Bryan is clarifying his recent comments on Beyoncé’s 2024 CMA Awards snub
• “I respect Beyonce and I love how loyal her fans are,” wrote the musician on social media
• Celebrities including Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson have also spoken out about the lack of nominations for Cowboy Carter and its songs

Luke Bryan didn’t mean any harm by sharing his thoughts on Beyoncé’s lack of nominations at the upcoming 2024 CMA Awards,.

After the “One Margarita” singer, 48, recently expressed wanting Queen Bey, 43, to “get in the family” of country music in order to earn CMA Awards recognition, he further clarified his thoughts on the matter in a post shared to X (formerly Twitter) on Oct. 6.

“Hey yall, I’m wrapping up the last night of my tour tonight and it’s been an amazing time. For that I am thankful,” wrote Bryan following the Oct. 1 interview with SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, telling followers he wanted to speak out due to “the ridiculous nature” of discourse sparked by the appearance.

The musician said he felt a “false narrative” was being spread and encouraged fans to “listen to the interview” for complete context.

“You will hear my tone and intentions which were not negative. I respect Beyonce and I love how loyal her fans are,” continued Bryan. “I spend a lot of time supporting other artists. I want everyone to win. Love yall.”

Last month, the Country Music Association revealed the full list of nominees for the 58th Annual CMA Awards. Beyoncé, who became the first Black woman to ever top the Billboard Top Country Albums chart earlier this year with Cowboy Carter as well as the Hot Country Songs chart with her hit “Texas Hold ‘Em,” did not receive any nods.

Bryan, who’s earned two CMA entertainer of the year awards in the past and will cohost this year’s ceremony alongside Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson, then shared his thoughts on Beyoncé’s snub.

“It’s a tricky question because, obviously Beyoncé made a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans out there that have her back. And if she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come at you,” he told Cohen.

“I’m all for everybody coming in and making country albums and all that. But just by declaring that, just because she made one,” said Bryan, “I don’t need [a nomination], just ’cause I make one.”

The “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)” singer spoke further about why the Country Music Association may have decided not to nominate Cowboy Carter for any awards.

“Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it. But where things get a little tricky and, and you know — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit,” he said.

“Beyoncé can do it exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music,” continued Bryan. “But come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that.”

Other celebrities have also commented on Beyoncé’s 2024 CMA Awards snub. Dolly Parton said Cowboy Carter was a “wonderful album” but theorized the awards show may not have wanted to “leave out” any artists who’ve spent more time in country music than the Destiny’s Child alum.

Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson said she found the snub “fascinating because I feel like those songs were everywhere.”

“That’s a hard industry, even for me,” added the talk show host of country music. “I was told at a lunch if I didn’t quit pop music and just go country, I would not be played.”