Country music artist Maren Morris has expressed that sharing her political opinions within the country music scene has impacted her mental health and finances, leading her to lose numerous fans.
In a detailed TikTok video shared on Friday, Morris voiced her frustration about how her music career has been shaped by the leadership of President Donald Trump. She remarked that the country music industry has turned “very politicized,” noting a lack of friendliness towards those with differing views.
The singer of “My Church” mentioned that her debut album dropped just months prior to Trump’s election win in 2016.
“So all the success of my first record came during Trump’s first year in office,” she reflected, sharing that “everything felt very political” during that period.
“Even if it didn’t seem that crucial before, it was a significant year as we were all caught off guard by his victory,” Morris added.
“For the last decade of my career, it’s been Trump, then Biden, and back to Trump,” the 35-year-old noted, adding that the “country music” scene has become increasingly influenced by politics.
“It’s truly disheartening because I cherish my Texas roots, I adore country music, and I love Nashville, but the environment is so heated, and friendliness has diminished. Sure, some people are nice, but events like awards shows can feel so hostile that I’ve chosen to avoid them,” she said.
“However, to be a good songwriter, capturing real life in your lyrics, you inevitably touch on political issues,” Morris continued. “I make an effort to show kindness and compassion, but over the years, there have been individuals and vibes in my industry that I’ve found truly repugnant.”
“In some respects, I’ve distanced myself, but country music is still a part of me. I grew up with it; it’s in my bones—it’s part of my DNA,” she added.
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@MarenMorris I’m looking forward to it
Morris stated in September 2023 that she was stepping back from country music due to her grievances with Trump, labeling the industry as “misogynistic, racist, homophobic, and transphobic.”
“During the Trump years, people’s prejudices were fully displayed,” said Morris. “It revealed true faces, showcasing pride in misogyny, racism, and homophobia, which seemed to fit oddly well with the hypermasculine nature of country music.”
Later in the video, she mentioned feeling fortunate to have built a fan base and being true to herself, even while recognizing the loss of many fans over her viewpoints.
“I’ve lost quite a few fans because of my beliefs,” she admitted, understanding that people might choose to stop supporting artists with opposing views.
“I believe that’s perfectly valid,” Morris noted. “If my perspectives cause you to dislike my music, that’s totally understandable.”
“But I’m just here to experience life,” she added. “It feels like I’ve sacrificed a lot—my mental health, financial stability, my family—because I’m so disturbed by the strange state of country music.”
Regardless, Morris affirmed that she will keep creating music.
“I’ll always write songs,” she said, offering guidance to “newcomers in music and country,” and adding, “Just be aware that holding firm to your beliefs comes with sacrifices—people will drift away, whether they’re fans or even friends and family.”
“These are truly odd times,” continued the singer of “The Middle.” “I feel a deep sadness. I love my country, but everything feels so broken. I wish I could just snap my fingers and fix it.”
“As a songwriter, I’m here as an observer,” she said. “I just write about what I witness and how I feel.”
