Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the Beyoncé debate Cowboy Carter album and the lack of nominations at the 2024 CMA Awards, offering a realistic view.
While many have expressed their dismay at the “snobbing,” Goldberg believes it was not an occasion to be overlooked. “A lot of people are surprised — I don't know why — that she didn't get a single CMA Award nomination,” Goldberg told the Thea.
“I don't think they snubbed her, I think they just didn't … it wasn't for them.”
Goldberg's perspective comes as part of a larger debate that has sparked the Cowboy Carter album, marking Beyoncé's foray into country music. The album, released in March, performed extremely well, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – her eighth record to do so – and remained on the Top Country Albums chart for an entire month.
Despite the album's commercial success, the country music industry has been slow to fully embrace it, a sentiment echoed by some of Goldberg's entourage.
Sunny Hostin expressed surprise at the lack of recognition for two tracks in particular: Beyoncé's reworking of Dolly Parton's classic “Jolene” and the original song “Texas Hold 'Em.”
“I thought she would at least be nominated for those two,” Hostin said, referring to how even Parton herself had given her blessing for Beyoncé to cover “Jolene,” even appearing on the track to introduce it.
“But my mother always told me, 'Find the audience that's looking for you.' That audience isn't looking for her,” Hostin concluded.
Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in, pointing out that while industry insiders may not have been supportive, fans certainly were. “The Country Billboard charts don't lie,” he added. However, Goldberg reminded her that fans and voters don't always see eye to eye.
Sara Haines concluded the discussion by pointing out that awards are not necessarily the ultimate validation, noting, “The best revenge is success.”
The debate continues Thea it follows comments made by Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, who has expressed his disappointment with the CMA Awards.
In an interview with TMZsaid Knowles, “There are more white people in America and unfortunately they don't vote based on ability and achievement. It's still sometimes a black and white thing.”
Knowles also addressed Beyoncé's controversial performance with the Dixie Chicks at the 2016 CMAs, noting that the show never properly acknowledged her contributions.
Although the Cowboy Carter snub left many concerned, the album's chart performance speaks volumes. It dominated the Billboard 200 for two weeks and made Beyoncé the first black woman to top the Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold'Em.”
The album boasts a variety of guest artists, including Tanner Adell, Beyoncé's daughter, Rumi Carter, Miley Cyrus, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Post Malone, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey and Brittney Spencer.
Among the album's many extras: 070 Shake, Jon Batiste, Ryan Beatty, Gary Clark Jr., The-Dream, Rhiannon Giddens, Paul McCartney, Pharrell, Robert Randolph, Nile Rodgers, Raphael Saadiq, Sara Watkins and Stevie Wonder.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/whoopi-goldberg-beyonces-cma-snub-1235772104/