Country music icon Shania Twain has been using her platform to advocate for greater equality and diversity within the genre. In her acceptance speech at last Sunday's CMT Awards, where she received the Equal Play Award, Twain called for a more inclusive country music industry.
The legendary singer-songwriter referenced one of her biggest hits, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", which she wrote over two decades ago, and noted that it had become an empowering anthem for countless women around the world. When asked about the impact of this phrase, Twain said it has been "adopted by an array of fantastic communities all around the world" and has brought her immense joy.
Twain believes in a country music industry that is truly inclusive and family-oriented. She argued that the current state of the industry does a disservice to artists like herself, who have been nurtured by this genre since childhood. With her "Queen of Me" tour kicking off this year, Twain will be spotlighting a diverse lineup of acts, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others.
The singer-songwriter emphasized that she will continue to use her platform as a trailblazer to advocate for greater equality in the industry. She called on all artists, regardless of their background or demographic, to receive equal play and recognition. In a powerful performance, Twain even brought together an African American singing group, The BoykinZ, during her acceptance speech, highlighting the need for greater diversity within country music.
Twain's advocacy comes as a welcome change to the genre, which has historically been criticized for its lack of representation and inclusivity. With her commitment to promoting equality and diversity, Twain is helping to pave the way for future generations of artists from diverse backgrounds to succeed in country music.
The legendary singer-songwriter referenced one of her biggest hits, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", which she wrote over two decades ago, and noted that it had become an empowering anthem for countless women around the world. When asked about the impact of this phrase, Twain said it has been "adopted by an array of fantastic communities all around the world" and has brought her immense joy.
Twain believes in a country music industry that is truly inclusive and family-oriented. She argued that the current state of the industry does a disservice to artists like herself, who have been nurtured by this genre since childhood. With her "Queen of Me" tour kicking off this year, Twain will be spotlighting a diverse lineup of acts, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others.
The singer-songwriter emphasized that she will continue to use her platform as a trailblazer to advocate for greater equality in the industry. She called on all artists, regardless of their background or demographic, to receive equal play and recognition. In a powerful performance, Twain even brought together an African American singing group, The BoykinZ, during her acceptance speech, highlighting the need for greater diversity within country music.
Twain's advocacy comes as a welcome change to the genre, which has historically been criticized for its lack of representation and inclusivity. With her commitment to promoting equality and diversity, Twain is helping to pave the way for future generations of artists from diverse backgrounds to succeed in country music.