Billy Ray Cyrus weighs in on Beyoncé's CMA Awards snub: 'She doesn't need a trophy'

Ahead of the 2024 CMA Awards, Billy Ray Cyrus is weighing in on Beyonce?'s snub at the country music awards show.

In an Instagram post Wednesday congratulating the artists nominated, the country music star defended Beyoncé, who did not garner any CMA nods for her Grammy-nominated "Cowboy Carter" album.

The CMAs are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the country music industry, and fans suspected this year the megastar would be the first Black woman to be nominated and win album of the year for her groundbreaking and culture-shifting project.

Cyrus and Lil Nas X won a CMA Award in 2019 for Event of the Year for their massive hit "Old Town Road," which Cyrus pointed out was not part of the televised broadcast, but he hoped this year would be different.

"I’m so happy and proud to see country music opening their doors and format to be inclusive to all people, all styles," his post read.

Beyoncé and the CMAs: Singer snubbed with no nominations for 'Cowboy Carter'

He went on to say: "I was surprised to see @beyonce wasn't nominated??? Her album was brilliant… her single ruled. But she knows that. She doesn't need a trophy from the CMA… or permission …. or approval from any of their judges. 'When ya knock em out…. Ya don’t need no judge.' - Muhammad Ali.'"

The 58th annual CMA Awards air tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Contributing: Caché McClay, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Billy Ray Cyrus defends Beyonce amid CMA Awards snub