Maren Morrisis celebrating the “badass women” in music.
The country singer, 28, spoke to PEOPLE exclusively on the2019 Grammysred carpet Sunday in Los Angeles — which she attended alongside husbandRyan Hurd— and praised her fellow female nominees for their recent contributions to the entertainment sphere.
“It feels really positive. Even in the pre-televised awards, you sawAriana [Grande], you sawBrandi [Carlile], you sawKacey [Musgraves],Lady Gaga— they all won and the show hasn’t even started,” she said.
“So I think it’s a reflection of how badass women have been in music this year,” added Morris, who was up for five Grammys this year, including song of the year. She has been nominated five times previously, winning best country solo performance in 2017.
Out of the eight nominees in the coveted album of the year category, five are women —Cardi B, Carlile, H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson),Janelle Monáeand Musgraves. This is a big change from last year’s ceremony, in which four out of the five nominees were men.
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Maren Morris, Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus.ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty
Morrisopened up to PEOPLE last monthabout the ongoing conversation about women’s representation in Nashville, Tennessee, and beyond, admitting it’s “baffling” to her.
“There are tons of artists making incredible music, not just women — people of color and different sexualities are making catchy country music,” she said. “I’m grateful my singles have done well, but it’s frustrating to continue to have these conversations and no results.”
Be sure to check outPEOPLE’s full Grammys coverageto get the latest news on music’s big night.
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd.Getty
Morris helped honorDolly PartonSunday evening,performing “After the Gold Rush”alongside the 73-year-old country legend and Parton’s goddaughterMiley Cyrus.
“I met her, and I was trying to not quoteSteel Magnoliasat her obnoxiously,” Morris said of Parton’s classic 1989 film during a pre-show conversation withE! Newson the red carpet.
The country singeradded that Parton is “a total pro,”playfully noting of their shared stature, “She and I are the same height!”
source: people.com
