Shania Twain.Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty
Shania Twainis using her moment in the spotlight to call on the country music industry to be more inclusive.
At Sunday’sCMT Music Awardsat the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the singer-songwriter accepted the Equal Play Award, which recognizes artists who are vocal advocates for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music.
“I just met her and that’s my new bestie,” the rapper said. “She’s been an outspoken ally against every hate of all kind… gender gaps, ageism, impacting inequalities against the LGBTQ+ community and more. She’s an inspiration to me and millions of others.”
Twain started her acceptance speech with a reference to her 1997 hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” and said that when she wrote the now-classic, she “had no idea at the time that it would become an undercurrent of a decades-long career.”
Shania Twain.CBS
The singer then reminded the audience that she won her first-ever award, the CMT Rising Star award, at the show in 1993, giving the CMTs “a very special place in [her] heart.”
Twain continued with a promise to “continue to champion the many outstanding country artists that are not currently played… streamed, toured or awarded at the level they deserve.”
“I believe in an all-inclusive country music,” she said. “This is a genre of music with a rich history that raised and nurtured my own songwriting and performance and recording career from childhood. Currently, the industry standard does a real disservice to this.”
“My hope is this opportunity and spotlight impresses you much and lights up the careers of these very talented people on their journey,” she finished. “I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer. Together, let’s ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race.”
Twain told PEOPLE on the red carpet earlier in the night that while she doesn’t necessarily “consider [her]self a trailblazer,” she wants to be “on that path of inclusion” and she wants to “speak for it and represent it.”
Shania Twain.Renee Dominguez/FilmMagic
Among those that she’s excited about when it comes to new talent is the vocal group The BoykinZ, whom Twain said she recently met onTheKelly ClarksonShow.
“I invited them to do a little a cappella piece with me tonight, just as part of my exchange of supporting upcoming young female artists, people that might, in this day and age, be excluded,” she said.
The star also teased her upcoming Queen of Me tour, saying that while she originally only wanted to play about three new songs, she’s bumped that number up to “probably seven” based on the positive reaction her latest album has received.
Twain, 57, is the third-ever recipient of the Equal Play Award, which recognizes an artist who is a vocal advocate for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music. Previous winners includeJennifer Nettlesand Linda Martell.
Check out PEOPLE’s full CMT Awards coverage to get the latest news on country’s big night.
Aside from her award, the “You’re Still the One” singer also took the stage for a memorable performance.
The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” performer is coming off a busy year as she released her sixth studio album Queen of Me in February.
In December, Twainspoke to PEOPLEabout reclaiming her throne and thehighs and lowsof her career in honor of her sixth studio album.
“It’s like a renaissance period for me. To be experiencing it as a relevant artist still, that’s rewarding,” Twain said at the time. “I feel a renewed confidence. I don’t have anything to prove anymore, and I feel freedom in that.”
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Since then, the country starappeared on an episode of the YouTube seriesChicken Shop Date, where she spoke about the meaning behind the title of her album.
“Queen of Memeans I am my own boss. I drive my own bus,” she said, to which host Amelia Dimoldenberg asked to clarify whether or not she actually drives her own tour bus.
“Well, I have — I can drive a bus,” explained Twain, who’s embarking on a major world tour in April. “I don’t drive my own tour bus. I could drive my [bus]. I can drive a lot of things. But what I really mean is that I take charge of myself. I take responsibility for myself.”
The 2023 CMT Music Awards will air live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 2, and is also available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.
source: people.com
