Luke Bryan Reacts to Beyoncé's CMA Awards Snub, Calls It 'Difficult'

Luke Bryan weighs in on the controversy surrounding Beyoncé's lack of CMA Award nominations Cowboy Carter Album.

The country star recently chatted with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM Andy Cohen Livewhere the host asked him for his thoughts on Beyoncé's removal from the nominees list.

“That's a tricky question because obviously Beyoncé made a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans that are behind her. And when she doesn't get something she wants, man, they come to you like fans should,” Bryan said, referring to Beyoncé's loyal fan base, called the Beyhive.

While the “Play It Again” artist is “there for everyone who comes in and makes country albums and stuff,” he said, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll automatically be nominated for their work, as sometimes it's “a lot “great music” is overlooked.”

“Just because she did one… just because I did one, I don't get any nominations,” he added.

As someone who has won two CMA Entertainer of the Year awards in addition to multiple nominations, Bryan had a theory about why the Country Music Association's voting body may have rejected the “Texas Hold 'Em” singer.

“Everyone loved that Beyoncé did a country album. Nobody’s mad about it,” Bryan explained. “But where it gets a little trickier – if you want to make country albums, come to our world and be a little country with us. Beyoncé can do exactly what she wants. She is probably the biggest star in music. But come to an awards ceremony and give us a high-five, have fun and be part of the family. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that…but country music has a lot to do with family.”

Before the publication of Cowboy Carter In March, Beyoncé wrote on Instagram that the album “came out of an experience I had years ago when I felt unwelcome in the country music genre,” “and it was very clear that I was wasn’t.”

In 2016, Beyoncé faced backlash over her performance of her country song “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks at the 50th Annual CMA Awards. While the singer received some applause, she was criticized by others in the country scene and her performance was even deleted from the CMA website.

She continued in her statement in March: “But because of this experience, I delved deeper into the history of country music and studied our extensive music archive.” It's good to see how music unites so many people around the world and at the same time can amplify the voices of some people who have dedicated so much of their lives to educating ourselves about our musical history.

“The criticism I faced when I first got into this genre forced me to overcome the limitations placed on me,” Beyoncé added. “Act II is the result of challenging myself and taking the time to mix and mingle genres to create this work.”