Country singer Shaboozey has responded to a viral moment from the 2025 American Music Awards, where she side-eyed Megan Moroney’s comment about the Carter family “basically inventing country music.”
Shaboozey took to X to address the viral moment, saying that when you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased. She emphasized that country music is “indebted to African and African-American traditions,” highlighting the contributions of Black artists who have shaped the genre.
The Carter family, composed of A.P. Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter, and Maybelle Addington Carter, are considered one of the first families in country music, credited with inventing harmony singing techniques and popularizing numerous songs that became country standards. Shaboozey’s comments also referenced the influence of Black musicians such as Lesley Riddle, Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne, Gus Cannon, and DeFord Bailey on the genre.
Shaboozey’s response comes after Megan Moroney read a teleprompter statement from the Carter family, which prompted Shaboozey to react with a side-eye. The singer has since used her platform to celebrate the importance of Black artists in country music, echoing Beyoncé’s sentiment at the 2025 Grammys, where she dedicated her Album of the Year win to Linda Martell, the first Black female country singer.
Source: https://people.com/shaboozey-responds-to-viral-amas-2025-megan-moroney-side-eye-moment-11742181