Country music star Maren Morris defends the LGBTQ community while pushing back against critics who ask her to stick to her songs.
“I’ve heard the phrase ‘shut up and sing’ countless times. It’s always a cute little threat they like to say,” the “My Church” songstress said in an interview. Billboard magazine interview Published on Wednesday.
The June 10th issue, released to coincide with Pride Month, features interviews between Morris and drag stars Landon Sider, Sasha Colby, Simone, and Eureka O’Hara.
“Shut Up and Sing: How Hollywood, Political and UN Elites Are Upending America” was the title of Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s 2003 book. The term has been used frequently to criticize country group Chicks since they became famous for criticizing then-President George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq in a 2003 concert.
“So I say to my fellow artists, record label heads, publishers and songwriters, none of us entered this art form to be an activist. I think, but that’s what the world ultimately wants you to be,” Morris said, “to give you space and make you feel like you can sleep at night.”
“You’re going to lose fans along the way. It’s just part of being in public. , the audience is very diverse and I feel very safe,” added the 33-year-old performer and vocal LGBTQ advocate.
“I know everyone likes money, but is it worth writing in your bio that you chose neither side because both sides pay to buy a t-shirt?”
The Grammy winner’s statement comes a day after the Human Rights Campaign officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ people in the United States. The group cited at least 525 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in more than 40 states this year.
Morris said of the anti-LGBTQ bill, “I’m from Texas, I live in Tennessee, and I love my Tennessee community, but these bills almost encourage us to turn against each other.” rice field.
“They reward us for trusting each other. This is like Nazi Germany where we turn our communities against us,” she said.
The entertainer also defended drag performance, which is facing increased regulation in some states. A federal judge last week ruled that a Tennessee law banning drag shows in public places or where children can be seen is unconstitutional because it protects free speech.
“There is no ‘one size fits all’ conveyor belt in parenting. Everyone has something different. To say this is all ‘adult’ is definitely a drag!” Morris said.
“But I’ve seen Mrs. Doubtfire, it would be interesting if it was a Sith [straight] Morris said of the 1993 comedy starring Robin Williams in which she dressed as a female nanny to reunite with her children in a custody battle.
“It’s fine for kids to see, but it’s absolutely unacceptable to see someone really expressing themselves, being entertained and just being free,” Morris said.
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