Luke Bryan made the unfortunate decision to insult Beyoncé. Now, he must face the wrath of Beyhive and American Idol producers.
As you probably know, Beyoncé released her first country album, Cowboy Carterearlier this year.
While the initial response from fans was predictably ecstatic, the album failed to make much of an impact among critics and industry insiders.
And Beyoncé’s faithful were shocked last month when Cowboy Carter did not receive a single Country Music Award nomination.
Now, Luke is speculating about what might have happened there. But it seems that instead of calming anyone down, he only managed to anger the Beyhive further. He also put the network’s relationship with Queen B in jeopardy, which doesn’t make anyone happy.
“Everyone loved that Beyoncé made a country album. No one is mad about it,” the american idol judge said during a recent interview on Andy Cohen’s radio show.
“But where things get a little complicated… if you’re going to make country albums, come into our world and be a little country with us.”
Luke clarified that he is a fan of Bey’s work. But he feels she failed to play the industry’s political game in the months after her album’s release.
“Beyoncé can do exactly what she wants. She’s probably the biggest star in music,” he said.
“But come to an awards show and say hello, have fun and be part of the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do it. …But country music is a lot about family,” Luke continued.
“I’m all for everybody coming out and making country albums and everything. But just for stating that, just because she did one – just because I did one, I don’t get any nominations.”
The reaction
As you’ve probably guessed, these comments didn’t sit too well with anyone who considers themselves a Bey fan.
Plus, things really didn’t go well for Luke’s bosses at american idol. The show in recent years has lacked star power, and with Katy Perry’s departure, producers hoped they could boost ratings by inviting big names to be mentors.
One of the most sought after talents on their list was Beyoncé. Bey has not appeared on the show since the season 10 finale in 2011, when she performed her hit “Crazy in Love.”
Now, any hope of it passing through here is dead and buried.
“They would give anything to bring Beyoncé back to the show as an artist and mentor. Ratings were down last season, and Beyoncé brings a fan base that will watch her,” a source explained to Life and Style.
“But Luke calling her out pretty much ended any chance of getting her back on Idol. Beyoncé doesn’t go where she doesn’t feel wanted!”
And do you know who is behind this wholehearted decision? THE HIVE!
Bryan tries to appease the Beyhive
Luke continued praising the Beyhive for the loyalty they showed to their queen.
“Beyoncé has a lot of fans out there who support her,” he noted. “And if she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come to you – like fans should.”
Unsurprisingly, many took issue with the insinuation that Bey was snubbed because she failed to ingratiate herself with the country music “family.”
As pop culture commentator Ashley K. Smalls tweeted:
“Keith Urban is from Australia and you guys basically made him the face of the genre. But does the Houston girl need to prove she’s part of your world?
Ironically, many of Bryan’s best-known songs, including “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” borrow heavily from the rhythms and cadences of hip hop.
But we think he never considered the possibility of having a cultural debt of his own.
Now obviously Luke and Bey are talented artists.
But perhaps it is time to consider the possibility that “authenticity” is an overrated concern in music criticism. Especially since it seems like the majority of the public doesn’t care about it as long as the song is a hit.