Kelsea Ballerini is yet again surrounded by new controversy! The singer and songwriter are facing backlash after she openly criticized gun violence during a recent CMT Award show. It is not the first time that the 28-year-old star has faced backlash, and the whole internet is divided, one group supporting her while others totally against her.
Ballerini began writing music at the age of 13, and by the age of 19, she had secured a publishing agreement with Black River Entertainment. In 2014, she released her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs list.
“The First Time,” Ballerini’s debut album, was a critical and financial triumph when released in 2015. It peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 list and won her numerous accolades, including a Grammy for Best New Artist. Ballerini subsequently released numerous more popular albums, which were hits.
Ballerini facing backlash after her performance in the CMT Award function:
Kelsea Ballerini supported the LGBTQIA+ community by performing at the 2023 CMT Music Awards alongside Drag Race performers Manila Luzon, Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport, and Olivia Lux.
if you go down, i’m going down too 🏳️🌈 // thank you to these iconic queens and @manilaluzon @kennedyddoftx @janjanjan @TheOliviaLux and @CMT for celebrating love, self expression, and performance.
📸 John Shearer @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/jZ3JTVI3ny
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) April 3, 2023
Recently, the state of Tennessee made news when it was about to introduce a law limiting drag show performances. The statute was supposed to go into effect before the concert, but a federal court in Tennessee temporarily delayed the state’s new law that criminalizes some drag acts.
Judge Thomas Parker emphasized constitutional safeguards for free expression in imposing a temporary restraining order.
He thought that if Tennessee chooses to use its police power to limit obscene speech, it must do so within the restrictions and framework of the United States Constitution.
Kelsea came out in full support of the ban of this law, stating that there is no room for transphobia in a country like America. As Kelsie’s performance neared its end, she walked the catwalk with all the queens on her side with confetti flowing in the air. The scene perfectly symbolizes her support for the community.
The netizens had mixed reactions in response to Kelsea’s support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Some supported her, while some fans were annoyed by her. Here are some reactions from her fans:
Kelsea Ballerini and her controversies:
Kelsea has always been in the limelight, attracting attention from the media and her fans. She has been involved in several controversies.
- In 2015, Ballerini commented on the controversy surrounding Little Big Town’s song “Girl Crush.” Several conservative organizations denounced the song for allegedly pushing a “homosexual agenda,” Ballerini responded with a tweet expressing her support for the song and its message of love and inclusion.
- During the 2017 CMA Awards, Ballerini sang a duet with pop artist Reba McEntire, which some country music fans thought was too far afield from traditional country music. Several attacked Ballerini for “selling out” and moving too far from her origins.
- Ballerini tweeted her support for the March for Our Lives campaign in 2018, which fights for gun regulation in the aftermath of horrific shootings. Several admirers accused her of abandoning her conservative fan base by becoming engaged in a political issue.
- During a live performance of her song “Miss Me More” at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019, Ballerini was captured on camera yelling “f—-” during a live performance of her song. Several fans and conservative pundits criticized Ballerini for using profanity on stage, claiming she disrespected the Opry’s traditions.
- In 2021, Ballerini got embroiled in a controversy about statements she made regarding female representation in country music. She had attacked country radio for not playing enough songs by female musicians. Still, several fans and Twitter users accused her of being hypocritical and contributing to the music industry’s gender imbalance.
Kelsea has been involved in many more of these controversies over the years; however, lately, she has sparked a controversial debate among people by openly supporting Drag Queens.
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