Grammy-winning singer Maren Morris lent her voice to the 2024 Democratic National Convention after finding her voice as an activist.
Morris took the convention stage Wednesday night in front of some of the Democratic Party’s most prominent figures and former Trump supporters. Country music is often associated with conservative stereotypes, but Morris is among the artists who have worked to show that country music is more than stereotypes. She advocates for racial and gender American minorities and isn’t afraid to criticize fellow musicians (or their spouses) for making transphobic comments.
“I’m honored to be speaking at the Democratic National Convention for the first time. It’s a moment where we can come together as a country and hear common sense plans for the future of women’s and LGBTQ rights. We can be inspired by people’s stories and find a safe path for our children,” Morris told The Tennessean.
Who is Maren Morris?
Morris is an award-winning country and pop artist. And although Morris learned her skills in the country industry, she decided to leave country music in 2023.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Morris said the country music industry is unwilling to acknowledge its history of racism and misogyny and be more welcoming to women, queers and people of color.
“I thought I’d like to burn it down and start over,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “But it’s burning itself down, even without my help.”
Morris was also not afraid to speak out about her progressive beliefs and was often a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and gender-affirming healthcare.
What did Maren Morris sing at the DNC?
Morris took the stage around 7 p.m. CT and sang her song “Better Than We Found It” for the National Convention attendees. Listen below.
The song was released in 2020 and was an expression of her support for the Black Lives Matter movement, immigrants and others. She has described it as a “protest song”.
“…It’s a protest song – protest is the most American thing, and protest songs are so deeply rooted in American culture: Bob Dylan, Nina Simone. I think the world is in a kind of permanent mourning phase right now, and I wanted to have a song that has weight, but also hope. I still have hope for this country and its future, and as a young mother, I wanted to promise my son that I will do everything in my power to leave this world better than the one I came into and the one I see now.”
Maren Morris stands by her tweet criticizing Brittany Aldean
Brittany and her husband Jason Aldean were prominent figures at the Republican National Convention in July, sitting next to Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. Jason Aldean’s controversial song “Try That In A Small Town” has gained traction in conservative circles, and he and his wife Brittany have gained traction in Trump’s conservative movement.
In 2022, Brittany Aldean clashed with Morris and other singers after she posted a video advocating for gender-affirming care.
“I really want to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I was going through my tomboy phase. I love this girl life,” Brittany Aldean wrote under an Instagram video revealing her 2022 makeup look.
Morris and her fellow musicians Cassadee Pope and Joy Oladokun criticized Brittany Aldean for her transphobic comment.
“You’d think celebs with beauty brands would see the positive aspects of including LGBTQ+ people in their messaging, but instead we hear someone comparing their ‘tomboy phase’ to someone wanting to transition. Really nice,” Pope tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“It’s that easy not to be a human scumbag? Sell your clip-ins and shut up, rebellious Barbie,” Morris wrote in response to Pope’s tweet.
When Morris was asked on Cosmopolitan’s “Cheap Shots” if there were any tweets she “regrets,” the 34-year-old artist immediately quipped, “I have to say, I didn’t think my ‘Insurrection Barbie’ tweet to a particular person would get as much attention as it did, but I stand by it.”
Tennessean reporter Marcus Dowling contributed to this report.
