CMA Awards Under Fire for Removing Beyoncé References After Racist Comments
The CMA Awards are under fire after scrubbing Queen Bey and the Dixie Chicks from their website and social media platforms.
Last night, the powerful foursome wowed audiences with a performance of “Daddy Lessons” and after the show, they were prominently showcased on CMAWorld.com and CMA social media posts. Today, all of those posts were erased.
Insiders tell TMZ that CMA honchos caved after some viewers made racist and hate-filled comments about Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks. The statements included the use of the n-word as well as posts like: “That’s right folks. Beyoncé performed at the CMAs last night & is on a mission to take country music away from us, hardworking white people!”
CMA leaders were also reportedly concerned with the fact that Bey and the Dixie Chicks have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Another viewer wrote: “What place does @Beyonce who vilifies police officers who keep us safe have to do with #CMAawards50?”
Sources say that the CMA honchos believe it was a mistake to invite Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks to their event.
#CMAawards50 was Country Music’s Biggest Night…Ever! Relive these greatest moments & more on the ABC App & On Demand pic.twitter.com/RReVMas1IX
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 3, 2016
Soon after the TMZ story was published, CMA tweeted a collage that featured Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks among six other photos. They also re-shared Beyoncé’s “Daddy Lessons” cover artwork.
Fans are upset with the way that the CMAs handled the situation. A fan named @BuzzingBey on Twitter, for instance, wrote: “Beyoncé gave you the biggest ratings you EVER received in HISTORY and you try to erase her? She. Cannot. Be. Erased.”
Similar backlash is taking place on Instagram where lemon and bee emojis are flooding the CMA comment section.
In a statement to E! News, CMA denied the accusations: “CMA has not erased any mentions of Beyoncé’s performance on the CMA Awards. In advance of the broadcast, CMA removed a 5-second promotional clip from ABC.com and CMA’s Facebook page. The promo was unapproved and CMA removed it prior to the broadcast. Beyoncé’s performance with Dixie Chicks was a highlight of the evening and we are continuing to share the amazing full-length performance clip via our official social channels.”
If we all turn this up really loud, together we can drown out the hate. https://t.co/PWJcDeNmuR
— The Chicks (@thechicks) November 3, 2016
The Dixie Chicks have also addressed the controversy. “If we all turn this up really loud, together we can drown out the hate,” tweeted the group, along with a link to their collaboration with Beyoncé.