Luke Bryan is praising Beyoncé, after she won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year, both for her Cowboy Carter record. While many have said others within the genre were more deserving, Bryan has nothing but respect for the pop star.
“She’s probably the greatest singer in our lifetime, actress,” Bryan says on the Club Random podcast. “She’s one of the best singers and performers of all time, in my opinion … She’s so successful. I remember seeing Destiny’s Child and seeing Beyoncé, and I was like, ‘That’s one of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever seen in my life.’ And then she sings like that, and goes on to have a career.”
Bryan’s lauding of Beyoncé comes after remarks he made last year about her were construed by some as criticizing Beyoncé, when she failed to win any CMA Awards for Cowboy Carter.
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“Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album,” Bryan said SiriusXM‘s Andy Cohen Live (via People). “Nobody’s mad about it. But where things get a little tricky and, and you know — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit. Beyoncé can do it exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that.”
Later, the father of two explained that he didn’t intend to criticize Beyoncé, or Cowboy Carter, in making those statements.
“I am posting tonight based on the ridiculous nature of the headlines I have read the last couple days from an interview on the Andy Cohen show I did this week when I was promoting my album,” Bryan shared on social media. “I feel in my heart I could not let media create a false narrative. As I read [through] the comments of some of you I just want to say that I encourage all of you to listen to the interview instead of reading clickbait headlines. You will hear my tone and intentions which were not negative. I respect Beyoncé and I love how loyal her fans are. I spend a lot of time supporting other artists. I want everyone to win. Love yall.”
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter beat out Chris Stapleton’s Higher, Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well, Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion and Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind, to win the Grammy for Best Country Album.
Bryan didn’t have any Grammy nominations this year, but his career is still at an all-time high. The Georgia native has a Top 40 song with his new single, “Country Song Came On.” The song, from his latest Mind of a Country Boy album, comes on the heels of Bryan celebrating his 31st No. 1 hit, with “Love You, Miss You, Mean It.”
“I’ve tried to approach my career and the business to never take a day for granted,” Bryan tells CMT. “Never take a hit song for granted. So … 31 is really hard for me wrap my brain around. It’s a testament to the fans supporting me throughout the years. Whether I’m on stage or writing music or recording songs, I just always try to put them first, and make sure that I can do a song that relates to them.
“‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It’ certainly feels like it has been,” he continues. “To have it be No. 31 is pretty crazy. When I go back and look at the list of 31, it freaks me out. I don’t wanna keep talking about it, ’cause I’m scared the streak’s gonna end.”
Bryan will embark on his Country Song Came On Tour on May 29 in Bethel, New York. Find all of Bryan’s music and upcoming shows at LukeBryan.com.