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Kelsea Balleriniis continuing to champion diversity in country music.
The country music star, 30, opened up in acover storywithTIMEfor theirTIME100 Nextseries about inclusivity in the genre. In the interview published on Wednesday, the singer-songwriter explained what her vision is for the future of country and why she’s committed to using her platform.
“I wish I could change a lot of things,” Ballerini told the outlet when asked about divisions between progressive artists like her and recentcontroversiesin the genre, likeJason Aldean’s viral, conservative song “Try That in a Small Town.”
While she insisted “one person” can’t speak for all of country music, she also added, “I am in control of standing in what I believe in — and being a kind, good person who works towards making the world a more heard, safe, and inclusive place in whatever capacity I can do.”
Kelsea Ballerini on the cover of ‘TIME’.Caroline Tompkins
Caroline Tompkins
“I can just change myself and the community around me. And I am making sure that my intentions are good and pure,” the “Penthouse” artist continued.
The Grammy nominee explained what she hopes to see going forward. “It’s a process, and we’re undoing a way that, specifically, country music has done things forever,” she said. “It’s making sure that we’re giving a voice to new artists; we’re giving a voice to unsigned artists who represent underrepresented groups in Nashville because they’re not getting a chance to be signed.”
The “How Do I Do This” singer continued, “Nobody says people don’t want to jam out to guys on the radio. I do. I also want to hear from women. Just as much, maybe more. I also want to hear from people of color, from the LGBTQ+ community. I want to hear all the voices we hear on pop radio on country radio.”
Catherine Powell
Earlier this year, the singer-songwriterhostedtheCMT Awardsand performed her song “If You Go Down (I’m Goin' Down Too)” with a group of drag queens to send a message aboutanti-drag legislation in Tennessee.
She also talked toTIMEabout the decision. “I realized that that would be a really good, important, loud, big stage to make that statement on,” Ballerini said.
Shortly after the performance, the “Half of My Hometown” artist also spoke toEntertainment Tonightabout it. She said, “I love performance, and I love self-expression, and I love inclusivity."
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Along with the cover story, fellow country starShania Twainshared a statement toTIMEabouthow much she admires Ballerini.
The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” artist specifically referred to the way the rising star uses her platform. “At this year’sCMT Awards, sheperformedwith a full troop of drag queens as her back-up dancers, which was fabulous,” Twain shared in a write-up. “She has a powerful sense of self in those moments: she knows exactly where her heart is, and she always leads with love and inclusivity.”
“She’s an old soul in many ways,” Twain also said. “She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and really brave with her songwriting.”
source: people.com
