The Chicks don’t have any regrets about being one of many first targets of cancel tradition — 20 years after making a snarky comment about former President George W. Bush.
Formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, the nation trio, composed of lead singer Natalie Maines, 48, and sisters Martie Maguire, 53, and Emily Strayer, 50, had been requested if the politically-charged assertion remains to be a “defining episode” of the group’s profession.
“It’s defining in the best way it set us free,” Maines informed the Los Angeles Times. “It acquired us out of this field of nation music, which we by no means wished to be in and by no means felt like that’s who we had been.”
“We didn’t should do any of that bulls–t anymore. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, nation music, please take us again.’ It was center fingers: ‘Bye!’” she added.
On March 10, 2003, whereas on stage in London, Maines informed the viewers the group was “ashamed” that Bush was from their home state of Texas.
“Simply so , we’re on the great aspect with y’all,” Maines stated simply days earlier than the invasion of Iraq. “We don’t need this warfare, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the president of the US is from Texas.”
The Guardian published the remark, and The Chicks had been rapidly shunned by American followers, nation radio, and fellow nation artists.
However music heavyweights akin to Bruce Springsteen and Madonna supported their proper to talk out, though the Materials Lady opted to delay her personal graphic war-themed music video for “American Life” after the backlash.
The Chicks’ music and live performance gross sales additionally plummeted, and the Lipton iced tea model pulled the plug on its promotional contract with the group.
Maines issued an apology a couple of days later, saying her comment was “disrespectful” — however took it again in 2006, saying she felt Bush deserved no respect.
Bush responded to The Chicks’ remark in April 2003, arguing that they’re “free to talk their thoughts,” however “shouldn’t have their emotions damage simply because some individuals don’t need to purchase their data after they converse out.”
“I don’t actually care what the Dixie Chicks stated,” he informed broadcaster Tom Brokaw.
“I need to do what I feel is correct for the American individuals, and if some singers or Hollywood stars really feel like talking out, that’s high quality. That’s the beauty of America.”
In Might 2003, The Chicks famously graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly bare — with totally different names the American public had apparently known as them, together with “traitors,” “proud People,” “opinionated,” and “Dixie Sluts” — printed in daring black lettering on their our bodies.
The “Not Prepared To Make Good” singers released a documentary in 2006 in regards to the controversy titled “Shut Up and Sing.”
Their 2020 album “Gaslighter” was the primary time in years The Chicks had been seemingly welcomed and accepted by the American public once more.
That very same yr, nation singer turned pop sensation Taylor Swift, now 33, admitted she was “terrified” to get political after seeing how The Chicks’ remark “ended such a robust reign.”
