Billy Ray Cyrus speaks out on Beyoncé’s CMA Awards oversight: ‘She doesn’t need an award’
The country music artist supported Beyoncé publicly after her album “Cowboy Carter” was overlooked.
Prior to the 2024 CMA Awards, Billy Ray Cyrus expressed his thoughts on Beyoncé’s absence from the nominations at the country music awards ceremony.
In a recent Instagram update, the country music icon congratulated this year’s nominees but criticized the lack of recognition for Beyoncé, who didn’t receive any CMA nominations for her acclaimed “Cowboy Carter” album, which was also nominated for a Grammy.
The CMA Awards are highly regarded in the country music scene, and many fans believed that Beyoncé could have made history as the first Black woman to be nominated for—and win—the Album of the Year for this influential work.
In 2019, Cyrus, along with Lil Nas X, took home a CMA Award for Event of the Year for their hit “Old Town Road,” which he highlighted was not televised, hoping for a different outcome this time around.
His post reflected joy and pride in witnessing country music become more inclusive, stating, “I’m thrilled to see country music embracing all people and styles.”
He continued: “I was shocked to see @beyonce wasn’t nominated??? Her album was phenomenal, her single was a hit. But she knows that. She doesn’t require a CMA trophy or validation or consent from any judges. ‘When you prove them wrong, you don’t need a judge.’ – Muhammad Ali.”
The 58th annual CMA Awards will be broadcast tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
