Beyonce credited for creating diverse line-up
LOS ANGELES - Beyonce has been credited with this year’s diverse red carpet at the CMT Awards - despite her not attending the event.
Fans had been hoping the singer, would make a surprise event at the annual ceremony on Sunday night after the release of her new album Cowboy Carter.
However, she opted to stay away from the event, with attendees just hearing a glimpse of her vocals when they played her cover of Jolene during a commercial break.
In her absence, four of her collaborators - all black women - took to the stage at the Moody Center in Austin to present at the ceremony.
The audience cheered as singers Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts and Brittney Spencer presented the Duo/Group Video of the Year.
All four of the singers perform alongside Beyonce on her cover of The Beatles’ 1965 ballad ‘Blackbird’.
Performs
Adell also performs vocals on the opening song American Requiem, and Kennedy, Roberts and Spencer also sing harmonies on another track, Tyrant.
Spencer told the crowds: ‘‘Austin, you look so hot! Oh, my god.
‘‘As country singers, we live and breathe this music, and we’re proud to be part of this night and this moment.’’
Kennedy added: ‘‘When artists come together, making music feels magical,’’ while Adell continued, ‘‘And it’s hard to describe that feeling of joining each other in song.’’
Roberts continued: ‘‘But these artists nominated for Duo/Group Video of the Year know that feeling very well.’’
The Duo/Group Video of the Year went to Dan + Shay for their video ‘Save Me the Trouble’.
Taking to X, during the ceremony, viewers tweeted about the increased diversity, after black artists Willie Jones, Amber Riley, Quia Thompson and GloRilla attended the CMTs for the first time.
They shared: ‘‘The CMT Awards looking real DEI (Diversity, equity and inclusion) Beyoncé’s impact!’’;
‘Proof of CMT Awards validation and acknowledgement of Cowboy Carter having the black country artists feat. on Beyonce’s song, Blackbiird, present together just 9 days after its release. Reyna Roberts. Brittney Spencer. Tanner Adell. Tiera Kennedy’;
‘‘Don’t attack me but… have noncountry artists always gone to the CMT Awards? Or is this the Beyonce effect?’’