Maren Morris Sheds Light on What's Next After Country Music Exit
Maren Morris
Maren Morris started out as a country artist, but she's embraced shifting into pop over the past few years. While appearing on The New York Times' Popcast, she detailed why she decided to distance herself from the genre she broke out in, and what her career will look like going forward.
"I don't want to say [it's a] goodbye, but I really cannot participate in the really toxic arms of this institution anymore [in Nashville]," she explained.
"I couldn't do this sort of circus anymore of feeling like I have to absorb and explain people's bad behaviors and laugh it off," Morris added. "I just couldn't do that after 2020 particularly. It was just like, I've changed. A lot of things changed about me."
However, Morris clarified her current position within the genre, noting that it's "a little bit hyperbolic to be like, 'She's left country music' because that's ridiculous, but I certainly can't participate in a lot of it." She added, "I'm okay just going and doing my own thing and come with me if you please, everyone's welcome."
When asked where she draws the line in terms of her role within country, the 33-year-old said, "I asked to not submit my music [to the ACM Awards]. I don't know if it's forever or it's just how I'm feeling in this current state."
Morris had previously shared her decision to not participate in the genre anymore, telling the LA Times that she "had to take a step back." She added, "After the Trump years, people’s biases were on full display. It just revealed who people really were and that they were proud to be misogynistic and racist and homophobic and transphobic."
Next: Maren Morris Seemingly Hits Back at Jason Aldean's 'Small Town' Song in New Music Video Tease
