Shania Twain went full woke at the CMT Country Music Awards last night while accepting the Equal Play Award, which is given to stars who fight for the diverse and underrepresented voices in country music.
This person claims to be Shania Twain #CMTAwards pic.twitter.com/uLYsB6H6CM
— SeanJoseph19 (@SeanJoseph1978) April 3, 2023
Twain Accepts Woke Award
People Magazine reported that Twain, 57, was given the award by the rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who thanked her for “shatter[ing] ceilings and redefin[ing]… country music and beyond.”
“I just met her and that’s my new bestie,” Megan Thee Stallion said. “She’s been an outspoken ally against every hate of all kind… gender gaps, ageism, impacting inequalities against the LGBTQ+ community and more. She’s an inspiration to me and millions of others.”
Megan Thee Stallion and Shania Twain at the CMT Music Awards. pic.twitter.com/V232RBzgZo
— Stallion Access (@stallionaccess) April 3, 2023
After taking the stage, Twain brought up her 1997 hit song “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” revealing that when she wrote it, she “had no idea at the time that it would become an undercurrent of a decades-long career.”
“It’s amazing how just one statement can empower so many,” she said. “And ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman’ has been adopted by an array of fantastic communities all around the world and become such a genuine path of power, which brings me so much joy. Thank you to CMT for pushing the Equal Play agenda and always supporting me.”
https://twitter.com/stiIIthwone/status/1642701221562576900
Related: Shania Twain Reveals Why She Likes To Look At Herself ‘Naked’ At 57
Twain’s Promise
Twain went on to pledge to “continue to champion the many outstanding country artists that are not currently played… streamed, toured or awarded at the level they deserve.”
“I believe in an all-inclusive country music,” she said. “This is a genre of music with a rich history that raised and nurtured my own songwriting and performance and recording career from childhood. Currently, the industry standard does a real disservice to this.”
Twain ended her speech by calling on other country music stars to “close the gap and provide an equal workspace for all talent.”
“My hope is this opportunity and spotlight impresses you much and lights up the careers of these very talented people on their journey,” she concluded. “I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer. Together, let’s ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race.”
Icon. Legend. 2023 CMT Equal Play Honoree, @ShaniaTwain. ❤️
We are so honored to celebrate her tonight at the #CMTAwards! pic.twitter.com/NOCf3LkHSc
— CMT (@CMT) April 3, 2023
Related: Shania Twain Talks Posing Nude At 57
Twain Is ‘Very Proud’
Twain is only the third person to receive the Equal Play Award, with the first two being Jennifer Nettles and Linda Martell. While on the red carpet before the CMT Awards, Twain said that though she does not “consider [her]self a trailblazer,” she wants to be “on that path of inclusion” and she wants to “speak for it and represent it.”
“I mean, what it really means to me, is that the need for equal play for everyone — that needs to be highlighted,” Twain told Entertainment Tonight. “So, I’m very proud to be part of that highlight. Obviously, I champion the idea of equal play.”
“And I want to see more of it,” she added. “So, it’s just an honor for me to be participating in this tonight.”
I like the old Shania Twain better. #CMTAwards pic.twitter.com/0eImpvDLkG
— Darla Shine đź‘‘ (@DarlaShine) April 3, 2023
While we are all for equal pay, it’s unfortunate that even the country music awards is catering to the left by making everything about race and gender. Twain’s heart may be in the right place, but in the end, we’re simply tired of seeing celebrities go woke!