Country Music Icon Shania Twain Calls for Change: Equity and Diversity Must be Featured in the Genre.
In a powerful acceptance speech at the CMT Awards, country music legend Shania Twain used her platform to call out the lack of diversity and equity in the genre. The award, which she received on Sunday night, is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. For Twain, it was an opportunity to bring attention to a pressing issue that has plagued country music for years.
"I honestly had no idea at the time it would become an undercurrent of a decades-long career," Twain said in her acceptance speech, referencing one of her biggest hits, "Man I feel like a woman." She went on to explain how that phrase had taken on a life of its own, empowering communities around the world and becoming a symbol of female empowerment.
Twain's message was clear: country music needs to do better. The genre, she argued, is at a critical juncture in its history, with an all-inclusive approach that values diversity and promotes equity being essential for its future success. "I believe in an all-inclusive country music," Twain said. "We're family." This message was echoed by the fact that her acceptance speech celebrated not just herself but also other female artists who are breaking barriers in the industry.
Twain highlighted several talented acts on her upcoming tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. By spotlighting these artists, Twain aims to promote greater representation and inclusion within country music.
In a bold move, Twain performed acappella with the African American singing group The BoykinZ while presenting an award on stage. This moment marked a significant step forward in bridging the gap between different communities and celebrating diversity in the genre.
Twain's words were met with applause and admiration from fans and fellow artists alike. Her commitment to creating change is inspiring, and her message resonates deeply. As Twain said, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer." With her voice and influence, she's pushing country music towards a more inclusive future where everyone has an equal chance to shine.
				
			In a powerful acceptance speech at the CMT Awards, country music legend Shania Twain used her platform to call out the lack of diversity and equity in the genre. The award, which she received on Sunday night, is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. For Twain, it was an opportunity to bring attention to a pressing issue that has plagued country music for years.
"I honestly had no idea at the time it would become an undercurrent of a decades-long career," Twain said in her acceptance speech, referencing one of her biggest hits, "Man I feel like a woman." She went on to explain how that phrase had taken on a life of its own, empowering communities around the world and becoming a symbol of female empowerment.
Twain's message was clear: country music needs to do better. The genre, she argued, is at a critical juncture in its history, with an all-inclusive approach that values diversity and promotes equity being essential for its future success. "I believe in an all-inclusive country music," Twain said. "We're family." This message was echoed by the fact that her acceptance speech celebrated not just herself but also other female artists who are breaking barriers in the industry.
Twain highlighted several talented acts on her upcoming tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. By spotlighting these artists, Twain aims to promote greater representation and inclusion within country music.
In a bold move, Twain performed acappella with the African American singing group The BoykinZ while presenting an award on stage. This moment marked a significant step forward in bridging the gap between different communities and celebrating diversity in the genre.
Twain's words were met with applause and admiration from fans and fellow artists alike. Her commitment to creating change is inspiring, and her message resonates deeply. As Twain said, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer." With her voice and influence, she's pushing country music towards a more inclusive future where everyone has an equal chance to shine.

 lol it was so adorbs like who knew cats had talent? anyway back to shania twain she's literally my queen i love her music but what really got me is when she started talking about equity and diversity in country music... i mean yeah let's get more artists from different backgrounds on the scene that'd be awesome! but ugh have u tried those new plant-based ice cream flavors? like coconut curry or matcha green tea
 lol it was so adorbs like who knew cats had talent? anyway back to shania twain she's literally my queen i love her music but what really got me is when she started talking about equity and diversity in country music... i mean yeah let's get more artists from different backgrounds on the scene that'd be awesome! but ugh have u tried those new plant-based ice cream flavors? like coconut curry or matcha green tea 
 my fave is still strawberry cheesecake tho
 my fave is still strawberry cheesecake tho , Shania Twain is really stepping up her game by speaking out about the lack of diversity and equity in country music
, Shania Twain is really stepping up her game by speaking out about the lack of diversity and equity in country music  . It's so interesting to see how her acceptance speech turned into a platform for change
. It's so interesting to see how her acceptance speech turned into a platform for change  . I love that she highlighted other talented artists on her tour, it's all about promoting representation and inclusion
. I love that she highlighted other talented artists on her tour, it's all about promoting representation and inclusion  . The moment she performed with The BoykinZ was super cool
. The moment she performed with The BoykinZ was super cool  , it showed that country music can be inclusive and celebrate diversity too
, it showed that country music can be inclusive and celebrate diversity too  . Shania Twain is really inspiring people to make a change
. Shania Twain is really inspiring people to make a change  , and I'm excited to see where this will take the genre
, and I'm excited to see where this will take the genre  .
. . The thing is, diversity and equity are essential if you wanna make a lasting impact in the industry. It's not just about Shania, though she's an amazing role model
. The thing is, diversity and equity are essential if you wanna make a lasting impact in the industry. It's not just about Shania, though she's an amazing role model  . We need more artists like Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters who are bringing new perspectives and sounds to the table
. We need more artists like Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters who are bringing new perspectives and sounds to the table  . We need more of that kind of vibe in country music. It's time for some serious change
. We need more of that kind of vibe in country music. It's time for some serious change  , and Shania is leading the way
, and Shania is leading the way  I'm reading this now because I was late to the party
 I'm reading this now because I was late to the party  Shania Twain is totally right about country music needing a change for the better! It's crazy to think that all these years, people have been singing about trucks and heartbreaks without acknowledging the lack of diversity in their lyrics.
 Shania Twain is totally right about country music needing a change for the better! It's crazy to think that all these years, people have been singing about trucks and heartbreaks without acknowledging the lack of diversity in their lyrics.  you know what's crazy? I was watching this old video of cat playing piano the other day
 you know what's crazy? I was watching this old video of cat playing piano the other day  . But what I love is that she's not just stopping at talking about it - she's taking action by highlighting other talented artists from different backgrounds. That's what we need more of... oh, and have you ever tried making cat sounds while watching a music video? It's hilarious
. But what I love is that she's not just stopping at talking about it - she's taking action by highlighting other talented artists from different backgrounds. That's what we need more of... oh, and have you ever tried making cat sounds while watching a music video? It's hilarious  !
!
 - we need diversity and equity! Shania Twain is right on point when she says we're family
 - we need diversity and equity! Shania Twain is right on point when she says we're family  , but not all of us have been given a seat at the table yet. I mean, come on, how long can we keep celebrating artists like her who are breaking barriers for women in country music? We need more Lily Roses and Mickey Guytons out there, not just token nods to representation
, but not all of us have been given a seat at the table yet. I mean, come on, how long can we keep celebrating artists like her who are breaking barriers for women in country music? We need more Lily Roses and Mickey Guytons out there, not just token nods to representation  - country music can be so much more than just "white dude" country
 - country music can be so much more than just "white dude" country  . Let's make some noise!
. Let's make some noise!
 . I'm excited to see where this new direction takes us
. I'm excited to see where this new direction takes us  I'm loving the fact that Shania Twain is using her platform to bring up this super important issue! It's about time someone of her caliber spoke out against the lack of diversity in country music. I mean, have you seen the lineup for her upcoming tour? The list of talented female artists she's featuring is EVERYTHING!
 I'm loving the fact that Shania Twain is using her platform to bring up this super important issue! It's about time someone of her caliber spoke out against the lack of diversity in country music. I mean, have you seen the lineup for her upcoming tour? The list of talented female artists she's featuring is EVERYTHING!  It's so cool to see her celebrating other women who are breaking barriers in the industry. And that moment with The BoykinZ was pure magic
 It's so cool to see her celebrating other women who are breaking barriers in the industry. And that moment with The BoykinZ was pure magic  it's about time someone spoke up and we need more people like shania who are willing to challenge the status quo.
 it's about time someone spoke up and we need more people like shania who are willing to challenge the status quo. . It's not just about representation, it's about creating a space where everyone feels welcome & included
. It's not just about representation, it's about creating a space where everyone feels welcome & included  . i'm so down for that, but can we be real, it's been a thing for ages?
. i'm so down for that, but can we be real, it's been a thing for ages? 
 I think it's about time someone with Shania Twain's platform called out the lack of diversity and equity in country music
 I think it's about time someone with Shania Twain's platform called out the lack of diversity and equity in country music  . And let's be real, her performance with The BoykinZ was a major moment - it's not often you see African American artists being celebrated on stage like that
. And let's be real, her performance with The BoykinZ was a major moment - it's not often you see African American artists being celebrated on stage like that 
 country music needs more of these: [Duet GIF of a boy and girl singing](https://i.giphy.com/6hZwJkUvT2zH/gif/full-size/0.55s/e1f4c7b9-3d64-47ca-b5e4-aebcfdd6fba9.gif)
 country music needs more of these: [Duet GIF of a boy and girl singing](https://i.giphy.com/6hZwJkUvT2zH/gif/full-size/0.55s/e1f4c7b9-3d64-47ca-b5e4-aebcfdd6fba9.gif)
 . It's about time someone spoke up and said we need more female artists, people of color, and LGBTQ+ folks in the industry. I love how Twain highlighted all these talented acts on her tour - it's a great way to showcase what country music can look like when we're inclusive
. It's about time someone spoke up and said we need more female artists, people of color, and LGBTQ+ folks in the industry. I love how Twain highlighted all these talented acts on her tour - it's a great way to showcase what country music can look like when we're inclusive