Maren Morris learned the hard way that it’s hard to be famous and a parent. The mother of six-month-old Hayes spoke out about the criticism she received online, especially after showing a picture of him on the water in her arms, which made her vow to keep him away from social media, at least for a while.
“I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, because I’ve had plenty of trolls come after me before, and I can definitely have thick skin when it comes to someone saying my music is terrible, or I’m ruining the sanctity of country music,” Maren shared at a virtual press conference following her ACM Awards win for Female Artist of the Year. “But for some reason, it feels like an extra betrayal when it’s another mother shaming another mother, and I just feel like we need to all give each other some grace.
“I would never do that, and I’ve learned to be less judgmental all around, just being a mom, because it’s been extremely humbling,” she continued. “I just think, let’s all love each other, and give each other good advice. Even if it’s unsolicited, at least it’s good advice. I would just say, let’s do better and not put someone down that’s trying their best.”
While Maren insists Hayes was perfectly safe in her arms, and tied to a dock in a foot of water, the backlash was swift and brutal, which is why she decided to not share any more photos.
“I just decided that if it’s not something that I can expose to for my own mental health, I am just going to take the photos off and not open myself up to that kind of criticism,” Maren told SiriusXM’s Storme Warren. “It’s usually from people that are insecure in their own parenthood and are wanting to put that on you so they don’t feel as bad with what they are doing. We are all fighting that battle…. I kind of did delete a lot of stuff off of socials regarding Hayes cause I don’t want to open myself up, or Ryan [Hurd], or Hayes to that. So for right now, maybe I’ll put photos of him up there again, for right now I just want to keep that part a little more private.”
The 30-year-old earlier bravely opened up about her battle with post-partum depression, following a brutal 30-hour labor with Hayes, which resulted in an emergency C-section.
“I’m kind of coming through the tunnel now. I feel back to normal,” Maren told CBS This Morning. “Fortunately, I was able to do phone therapy during the pandemic. And [I have] people around me that love me that are like, ‘Hey, if you’re drowning right now, there’s help.’”
“You’re trying to become a new mother and good parent and do everything right, and you just feel like you suck at every level.” she added. “And then the one thing I’ve always felt like I have a handle on is my music, and to not be able to tour and have to furlough my band and crew, it was just a lot.”