Shaboozey is coming to Megan Moroney‘s defense after a remark she made during the duo’s American Music Awards presentation landed her in hot water with some viewers Monday (May 26).
In a comment on the “Tennessee Orange” singer’s latest Instagram post Tuesday (May 27), ‘Boozey spoke out against the “hateful comments” Moroney has been receiving since the ceremony and called her “an incredibly talented, hard-working artist who’s doing amazing things for country music.”
His response comes a day after the pair presented favorite country duo/group to Dan + Shay at the 2025 AMAs, during which Moroney read off the teleprompter that the very first act to win the prize had been the Carter family, “who basically invented country music.” (The Carter family is comprised of A.P Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter and Maybelle Addington Carter, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which also refers to them as “The First Family of Country Music.”)
In that moment, the “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer seemingly gave Moroney a side-eye, with some viewers interpreting his expression as a silent disagreement or protest. Since the show, many people online have pointed out that Black musicians pioneered the genre and, despite being all-too-frequently excluded from history, influenced several of country’s earliest superstars — though some of that discussion has manifested in vitriolic comments on the “Am I Okay?” artist’s profile.
But in his reply on Moroney’s post, Shaboozey clarified that his reaction “had nothing to do with” his partner on the AMAs stage. “I’ve got nothing but respect for her,” he continued. “I’ve seen some hateful comments directed at her today, and that’s not what this moment was about.”
“Let’s not twist the message,” added the Virginia native. “She is amazing and someone who represents the country community in the highest light!”
Both ‘Boozey and Moroney had big years in 2024, with the former tying Lil Nas X’s record for longest-running No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 after “A Bar Song” clocked its 19th week in the top spot, and the latter earning her first-ever top 10 album on the Billboard 200 with Am I Okay? reaching No. 9 on the chart. But Shaboozey’s success has been particularly meaningful in a genre that has historically struggled to recognize Black artists, even in modern times.
Shortly before commenting on Moroney’s post, the “Good News” musician refocused the conversation on what’s important following the AMAs. “When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased …,” he wrote Tuesday morning on X.
He added, “The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.”
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
