Country Music legend Billy Ray Cyrus is speaking up and revealing how “surprised” he was to learn that Beyoncé and her Country-inspired album ‘Cowboy Carter’ were snubbed by the CMA Awards when they dropped their nominations in September.
RELATED: Beyoncé Snubbed! No Nominations For CMA Awards For ‘Cowboy Carter’ Despite Historic Impact
Just hours before the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards telecast, Billy Ray Cyrus expressed his disappointment in the awards show failing to recognize Beyoncé and her Country-influenced album ‘Cowboy Carter.’
Taking to his official Instagram account on Wednesday (November 20), Cyrus congratulated all the artists nominated at the CMA Awards this year. In his post, he also called out the controversial snubbing of Beyoncé and ‘Cowboy Carter’ — an album that his own daughter, Miley Cyrus appeared on via the song “II Most Wanted.”
The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations to ALL @CMA nominees! I’m so happy and proud to see country music opening their doors and format to be inclusive to all people, all styles. @LilNasX and I won this award in 2019 for ‘Event Of The Year.’ But, you wouldn’t have seen it because they didn’t air it in the show.”
Billy Ray Cyrus continued to call out the CMA Awards snubbing Beyoncé and ‘Cowboy Carter.’ He admitted, “I was surprised to see @Beyonce wasn’t nominated??? Her album was brilliant… her single ruled. But, she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission… or approval from any of their judges.” Cyrus then quoted Muhammad Ali, writing, “When ya knock em out…. Ya don’t need no judge.”
RELATED: Beyoncé Fails To Secure Any Wins At People’s Choice Country Awards Despite 17 Nominations
As we previously shared in September, the CMA Awards dropped their nominations for the 2024 ceremony; however, many were surprised to learn that Beyoncé’s name and her Country-inspired album ‘Cowboy Carter,’ were nowhere to be found on the list of nods, despite the fast-garnered popularity of the album and significant waves and accomplishments it made in the industry.
With this album, Bey made history becoming the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Country Albums chart — and it seemed like the 2024 CMA Awards would’ve been the perfect platform to make history as the first Black woman to be nominated for and potentially win ‘Album of the Year’ with her groundbreaking project. Unfortunately, that feat, or any other accomplishments, would not materialize this year at the CMA Awards.
Although Beyoncé hadn’t addressed that perceived snub, at the time, her father, Mathew Knowles, did. He told TMZ that he believes race absolutely had a role in the 2024 CMA Awards failing to nominate his daughter and her history-making album.
RELATED: Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Submitted To 2025 Grammy Awards To Compete For ‘Best Country Album’
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