Jason Aldean and Ryan Hurd are speaking out after their respective wives got into a scuffle on social media when one made a comment that raised eyebrows for supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. For those who haven’t been following the ongoing saga, Aldean’s wife, social media influencer Brittany Aldean, 33, recently landed in hot water after making an alleged negative remark over gender identity.
Brittany, who has been in the process of releasing a Barbie-inspired line, took to her Instagram page earlier this month, sharing a video of herself applying makeup onto her makeup-free face. The clip, which included the soundtrack to Beyoncé’s “Upgrade U,” wasn’t a far stretch from Brittany’s usual posts, as she is no stranger to sharing beauty advice with her more than 2 million Instagram followers.
But, it’s what she wrote below the post that got people – and country music artists – talking.
“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,” Brittany captioned the clip, inserting a heart emoji and a peace sign at the conclusion of the post.
Needless to say, Brittany’s supposed transphobic words sparked an uproar online.
Cassadee Pope was first to open the door to discussion, flagging those behind beauty brands who exclude LGBTQ+ community in their messaging.
Without explicitly naming Brittany, Pope tweeted, “You’d think celebs with beauty brands would see the positives in including LGBTQ+ people in their messaging. But instead here we are, hearing someone compare their ‘tomboy phase’ to someone wanting to transition. Real nice.”
“It’s so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie,” Maren Morris, an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, wrote below Pope’s post, taking the conversation on the controversial topic one step further.
It’s so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) August 26, 2022
Others, including Mickey Guyton, Brandi Carlile, Candace Owens, Joy Oladokun, RaeLynn, and more, also got in on the heated public exchange by taking sides and inserting their viewpoints on the topic in response to Brittany’s initial remark.
Brittany too, clapped back to her naysayers with a story on her Instagram page.
Throughout the intense social media debate, Brittany’s country star husband appeared to remain tight-lipped. But, he later showed his support for his wife of seven years by commenting on one of her posts.
“@brittanyaldean My barbie,” he simply wrote, tagging his wife in the comments section of her post.
Hurd also was not immediately vocal during the online feud but has since weighed in on the topic, coming to his wife’s defense.
“Scoring quick points by picking on trans kids isn’t something that is brave at all,” Hurd tweeted. “And I’m proud of Maren for sticking up for them. Badge of honor to have CO engage in completely normal discourse, too. Shut up and sing only applies to those who you disagree with.”
In a separate tweet, Hurd added that although speaking up can bring along unwanted consequences, he is confident Morris taking a stand in what she believes in won’t be a threat to her career.
“Getting a lot of people telling me our career is over, as if the last time she spoke up about something it disappeared. Honestly, we’re pretty ok over here. Tours are good, got a 2-year-old we love, we’re f–king fine, and I promise she isn’t going to shut up now,” Hurd, who has been busy touring with Sam Hunt, wrote.
Getting a lot of people telling me our career is over, as if the last time she spoke up about something it disappeared. Honestly, we’re pretty ok over here. Tours are good, got a 2 year old we love, we’re fucking fine, and I promise she isn’t going to shut up now.
— Ryan Hurd (@RyanHurd) August 27, 2022
“And on another note, I always support and love Maren. I know I’m sparse on the internet but I am proud of her and always will be. For everything she stands for, I do too,” he wrote on another Twitter thread.
In response to her husband’s support, Maren, who has been on her Humble Quest tour, opened up about how she’s been missing Hurd, who has been away on his own tour.
“Kids and touring is a creative adjustment that a lot of people have helped us make a reality, but we are making it work,” she penned on Instagram on Aug. 29. “We miss @ryanhurd and can’t wait to be home.”
Read more about the online feud HERE.
