Shania Twain's powerful speech at the CMT Awards last weekend served as a rallying cry for greater diversity and inclusion in the country music industry. The legendary singer-songwriter, who was honored with the Equal Play Award, used her platform to advocate for more equitable representation of women, people of color, and artists from underrepresented backgrounds.
Twain's acceptance speech was marked by a poignant reflection on how one phrase - "Man I feel like a woman" - had taken on a life of its own over the years, becoming an anthem for female empowerment. She acknowledged that this phrase has been adopted by diverse communities around the world and has become a powerful symbol of liberation.
The star also expressed her desire to see a more inclusive country music scene, where artists are not limited by traditional boundaries of age, gender, or racial identity. "We're family," Twain said, emphasizing the need for unity and acceptance within the industry. She believes that this shift towards greater diversity would do justice to the genre's rich history, which has nurtured her own songwriting and performance career.
Twain's commitment to change is evident in her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, where she will be showcasing a diverse range of artists, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. The singer also highlighted the importance of equal play for all artists, regardless of their background or identity.
In addition to using her platform to promote diversity, Twain has been connecting with up-and-coming artists from underrepresented communities. She recently performed an acappella duet with African American singing group The BoykinZ, highlighting the power of intersectional collaboration and mentorship.
Twain's passionate speech at the CMT Awards is a call to action for the country music industry, urging everyone involved to work towards greater inclusivity and equity. As she put it, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer... Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race."
Twain's acceptance speech was marked by a poignant reflection on how one phrase - "Man I feel like a woman" - had taken on a life of its own over the years, becoming an anthem for female empowerment. She acknowledged that this phrase has been adopted by diverse communities around the world and has become a powerful symbol of liberation.
The star also expressed her desire to see a more inclusive country music scene, where artists are not limited by traditional boundaries of age, gender, or racial identity. "We're family," Twain said, emphasizing the need for unity and acceptance within the industry. She believes that this shift towards greater diversity would do justice to the genre's rich history, which has nurtured her own songwriting and performance career.
Twain's commitment to change is evident in her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, where she will be showcasing a diverse range of artists, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. The singer also highlighted the importance of equal play for all artists, regardless of their background or identity.
In addition to using her platform to promote diversity, Twain has been connecting with up-and-coming artists from underrepresented communities. She recently performed an acappella duet with African American singing group The BoykinZ, highlighting the power of intersectional collaboration and mentorship.
Twain's passionate speech at the CMT Awards is a call to action for the country music industry, urging everyone involved to work towards greater inclusivity and equity. As she put it, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer... Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race."