Top Nashville publicity firm The GreenRoom has parted ways with client Jason Aldean after nearly two decades of representing the superstar country singer. While GreenRoom co-owner Tyne Parrish did not say it was the reason for the split, the move follows a social media post by Aldean’s wife, influencer Brittany Aldean, that many considered transphobic.
“Music has always been and remains The GreenRoom’s core focus, so we had to make the difficult decision after 17 years to step away from representing Jason,” Parrish tells Billboard in a statement. “We aren’t the best people for the gig anymore, but will always be big fans of his music — he is one of the greatest live entertainers in country music.”
In an Instagram post on Aug. 23, Brittany Aldean captioned a before-and-after makeup video for her 2.2 million followers, saying, “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life.” Jason Aldean left a laughing emoji in the comments and replied, “Lmao!! Im glad they didn’t too, cause you and I wouldn’t have worked out.”
Those comments, along with a lengthier statement from Brittany Aldean on Aug. 26, saying, “Advocating for the genital mutilation of children under the disguise of love and calling it ‘gender affirming care’ is one of the worst evils…Love is protecting your child until they are mature enough as an adult to make their own life decisions,” drew ire from country artists including Maren Morris and Cassadee Pope. In response, Morris said, “It’s so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie.”
Brittany Aldean responded Aug. 31 saying her comments had been “taken out of context,” but also touting a “Barbie-inspired” collection of new conservative merchandise items that draws from the Gadsden flag slogan, “Don’t Tread On Me” with “Don’t Tread On Our Kids” emblazoned across T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Interspersed with fashion tips and posts about her life, Brittany Aldean has regularly voiced her political views on social media, as well as launched a conservative clothing line that included items emblazoned with “Anti Biden Social Club,” as well as having the couple’s two young children pose in shirts emblazoned with the words “Hidin’ From Biden.”
Following that launch, in October the country superstar defended his wife’s actions. He wrote on Instagram, “I will never apologize for my beliefs or my love for my family and country,” alongside a photo of his silhouette in front of an American flag. “This is the greatest country in the world and I want to keep it that way.”
In April, Aldean released his 10th studio album Macon, Georgia, spearheaded by a pair of three-week Country Airplay chart-toppers, “Trouble With a Heartbreak” and “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, as well as his current top 25 hit “That’s What Tequila Does.” The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. To date, Aldean has notched 25 chart leaders on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.
Publicist-turned-artist manager Mary Hilliard Harrington originally launched The GreenRoom, and in 2015 sold a majority stake in the firm to longtime employees Parrish and Kristie Sloan. The company’s current roster includes Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, and The War and Treaty, among others.
