Maren Morris is never afraid to speak her mind or publicly share her political views. She is one of the most outspoken country artists to do so.
And in her latest speech, she did just that.
On Saturday (May 13), the 33-year-old “Make You Say” singer attended the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards, where she was applauded for being the first-ever country artist to earn the Excellence In Media Award.
During her acceptance speech at the Hilton Midtown in New York, Morris didn’t hesitate to take a stab at former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, who recently departed his long-standing position at the network.
Watch Maren Morris’ GLAAD Award Acceptance Speech Below
While acknowledging Carlson’s exit from the conservative-leaning news station, Morris recalled her history with the journalist, which dates back to September when he labeled her as a “lunatic” and a “fake country music singer” during a segment on Fox News, which featured Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany as a special guest.
Carlson’s choice of words, at the time, was made in response to backlash Brittany received after she uploaded a controversial Instagram video post that was deemed offensive to the transgender community and included the words: “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life.”
Raised Over $150,000 With “Lunatic Country Music Person” Shirt
Morris clapped back at Carlson’s “lunatic” comments, responding with the design of a new t-shirt with proceeds benefiting GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program and Trans Lifeline.
Her shirts raised more than $150k for Trans LifeLine and GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program.
“I Would Never Insult The Recently Unemployed”
Revisiting the ordinal, Morris told those in attendance at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards: “Maybe I felt a little bada** taking Tucker Carlson, calling me a lunatic for standing up to transphobia, and turning it into a T-shirt and raising $150,000 for LGBTQ+ charities. That made me feel a little cool, but I don’t want to gloat. I would never insult the recently unemployed.”
This, of course, isn’t the first time Morris commented on Carlson’s employment status. Upon learning the news of his Fox News firing, she took to her Instagram stories, writing, “Happy Monday, MotherTucker” and included a reposted screengrab of her face from his show that featured the words: “Lunatic Country Music Person.”
She also shared other posts, including an image of a Fox News personality announcing the news of Tucker Carlson’s exit as well as a story, which included the words: “The only Tuckers allowed are the drag queens.”
Awarded GLAAD Excellence In Media Award
Morris has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and in her speech for the award that, according to Billboard, “recognizes allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people in their work,” she also noted how her upbringing played a significant role in her current views on social issues.
“I first felt the acceptance of this community in my junior high school drama class,” she said. “During the school week, my queer friends were a safe space where I would go to theater class, and that entire period, we would laugh till our sides hurt, find our footing and freedom together completely unjudged. It was through their bold humor and compassion that I truly figured myself out in those formative years.”
“I have also heard countless times over the years that I’m one of the brave voices in country music. But that is not true. I’m not brave, stubborn to the point of delusional, yes, but not brave,” she added in her speech.
“It Shouldn’t Take Heroic Efforts To Want Basic Equal Rights For Everybody”
Morris continued, “Making the right decision shouldn’t take bravery or courage. It shouldn’t take heroic efforts to want basic equal rights for everybody. I’m a straight, white woman, I’m fine, but leaving your house knowing you could face violence just for being who you are, risking your life just by walking down the street – that is bravery.”
Morris then went on to say that “I want my fellow country music artists, and artists in general, to understand that inclusivity is not only the right thing, but it’s good for business. You open yourself up, [and] your sound, to a much larger audience, even if you lose some along the way. The crowds at my shows are a sea of diversity from race, identity, to age — it is a loving, safe space for my band, my crew, venue staff, and most notably, my fans. This community stood up for me and made me feel safe when I felt alone, and I will never be able to repay you, but I hope I get to spend the rest of my life and career settling up.”
