“I’m Very Broken-Hearted”: This Country Star Says She Paid a Heavy Price for Her Outspoken Beliefs

We are living in a particularly fraught time right now. As a result, some music artists like Maren Morris have faced intense blowback due to their actual or even perceived political and cultural leanings.

Morris, 35, claims she has been coping with hostility from some in the country music community because of what she believes. In a recent TikTok video, she talked frankly about the situation. Morris described the harsh consequences she faces because of her opinions. While the singer is not backing down, she admitted, “…[I]t is a sacrifice to stick to your guns.”

Morris Claims She Gets the Cold Shoulder Now

In the video, Morris claims she has been shut out. “No one is very friendly. Some people are cool, but like, it’s been very dicey at these award shows and [expletive]. And I don’t really go to them anymore, but it’s very heated.”

She feels that crafting songs and having political messages and views inevitably all go together. It’s not possible, according to her, to tease out one from the other. “You cannot be a full songwriter and, you know, reflect reality and life through song without being political.”

She Affirmed Her Enduring Affection for Country Music With Some Reservations

Even with the unpleasantness she detects, Morris shared that she still has a fondness for the country genre. She has, to a degree, disconnected herself from it, though. “So I’ve stepped away in certain facets, but I still love country music, obviously, like there’s no choice. I grew up in it, so it’s there. It’s in your bones. It’s in your DNA, but I definitely think I’m lucky that I get to have a fan base and be honest.”

Morris Accepts Fans’ Right To Ignore or Ostracize Her

The singer knows that the record-buying, streaming, and concert-going public will turn their backs on her if they wish. It’s a tough reality to face. “I’ve lost a lot of fans over the years because of my viewpoints and I think that’s fair. If you don’t agree with me, and you can’t enjoy my music because of my viewpoints, you are absolutely allowed to do that.”

She conceded in the video that there is a real toll that her political stances take on her. “I do feel like I’ve sacrificed a lot of my mental health, my financial standing, my family just because I’m so deeply concerned and uncomfortable with the weird status quo of country music.”

Her Experiences Serve as a Cautionary Tale for Other Young Artists

It seems like Maren Morris offered these observations, at least in part, as a gesture of concern for other rising stars in country music. If they are naive or gullible, she hopes they take their blinders off after reading about her ordeal.

She said in part, “I think for these upcomers in music or country music, just know it is a sacrifice to stick to your guns, and you will lose people along the way.” She went on, “But I’m fortunate that I can be here and make music and people buy tickets to my shows. And I’m very fortunate, and it’s a weird time right now. I’m very broken-hearted. I love my country, but it is so [expletive] broken.”