Kacey Musgraves is speaking out after facing online criticism for her reaction when Beyoncé’s country album Cowboy Carter won multiple Grammy Awards at the 2025 ceremony. The country music star is setting the record straight, dismissing claims that she was upset or resentful of Beyoncé’s victory.
Musgraves Denies Negative Reaction
In a statement issued by her representatives, Musgraves, 36, addressed the rumors that her facial expression indicated resentment when Beyoncé won Best Country Album. “It’s a sensationalistic false narrative meant to pit two talented female artists against each other,” the statement read. “There was simply no scowl or expression made.”
A Closer Look at the Moment
The controversy began when cameras caught Musgraves applauding Beyoncé during the broadcast after Cowboy Carter took home the prestigious honor. Some viewers took to social media, suggesting that Musgraves looked “pissed” or upset by Beyoncé’s achievement, especially since Musgraves’ own album, Deeper Well, had also been nominated for Best Country Album that evening. Other observers even speculated that fellow nominee Lainey Wilson also wasn’t pleased by the outcome. However, these speculations have been debunked by both Musgraves and Wilson, who have publicly shown their support for Beyoncé.
Previous Support for Beyoncé’s Country Crossover
In fact, both Musgraves and Wilson had expressed their appreciation for Beyoncé’s foray into the country genre long before the 2025 Grammy Awards. Speaking in an interview with The Cut in March 2024, Musgraves voiced her excitement about new artists joining the country music scene, saying, “The more the f—ing merrier.” She emphasized that Beyoncé’s crossover into country music didn’t affect her or her own work, adding, “It’s just fun to watch.”
Lainey Wilson’s Support for Country Music Evolution
Similarly, just weeks before the Grammys, Lainey Wilson, who was also nominated, praised the impact that Beyoncé and other crossover artists like Post Malone were having on the genre. “So many people are finding out that they love country music who didn’t know they liked it at all,” she said in an interview with NME. “Artists like Post and Beyoncé are introducing their audiences to this kind of music, and it’s only done good things for the genre. It’s cool to see.”
A Night of Achievements for Both Artists
The 2025 Grammy Awards proved to be a night of monumental achievements for both Beyoncé and Musgraves. Beyoncé took home three Grammys, including her first-ever Album of the Year win, while Musgraves won Best Country Song for her hit “The Architect.”
Supporting Each Other in a Changing Genre
The speculation about Musgraves’ reaction highlights the ongoing discussions around the intersections of genre and race in the music industry, particularly the country genre, which has long been associated with a predominantly white audience. However, Musgraves and Wilson have both shown open support for Beyoncé, and their responses suggest a camaraderie among country artists despite differing opinions on award outcomes.