The Academy of Country Music dropped its 2025 nominations list on Thursday, and while some of the genre’s biggest stars racked up nods, Beyoncé was nowhere to be found — despite taking home three Grammys for her country-rooted project Cowboy Carter just weeks ago.
The omission of Cowboy Carter, which earned Beyoncé trophies for Album of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus), has fans and fellow artists scratching their heads. Among those recognizing the snub is Kelly Clarkson, who recently told NBC10 Boston, “I kind of find it fascinating… those songs were everywhere.”
Beyoncé’s impact was undeniable. Cowboy Carter debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first Black woman to lead the chart with a country single.
This isn’t the first time country music’s gatekeepers have skipped over the global icon. Beyoncé was also noticeably absent from the 2024 CMA Awards nominations list, despite the overwhelming reception to her entry into the genre.
During her Grammy acceptance speech in February, Beyoncé touched on the genre barriers she’s faced:
“I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said. “And I just want to encourage people to stay persistent.”
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