While Beyoncé’s fans, the Beyhive, expressed their frustration over the snub of her album "Cowboy Carter," Dolly suggested that the absence of nominations might simply reflect the highly competitive country music scene. She emphasized that it wasn’t a question of Beyoncé’s talent but rather the abundance of deserving artists in the genre.
Dolly praised "Cowboy Carter" as a "wonderful album" and said Beyoncé should be proud of it. However, she didn’t believe the snub was intentional. Dolly pointed out that many in the country music community welcomed Beyoncé’s passion for the genre, adding that voters may have prioritized recognizing artists who have dedicated their entire careers to country music over a "specialty album."
Dolly’s remarks don’t seem to take into account Beyoncé’s past experiences with the CMAs, including the backlash she faced in 2016 when she performed "Daddy Lessons" with The Chicks. Following that experience, Beyoncé hinted that it inspired her to create a full country album, which went on to break multiple records on the country charts.
The tension between Beyoncé and the CMAs appears to run deep, but Dolly seems focused on the music itself rather than the politics surrounding it.