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Nashville’s Secret: A-Z Country Stars’ Scandals Revealed

BBG News

Their lyrics may croon of more ‘rustic’ pleasures such as boozing, trucks and cowgirl boots.

But, even in the rural world of country music, scandal’s never far from the surface. 

Even though Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan have long reigned as the kings and queens of Nashville’s music scene, numerous emerging artists are eager to claim the throne.

Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, and Morgan Wallen are helping attract a fresh wave of fans to this genre, but they’re also ushering in a new era of debates and issues.

Who among the celebrities is currently enjoying popularity due to their stunts, scuffles, and personal dramas – from public rallies to street fights, marital disputes to public feuds – and who has found themselves relegated to the lower tiers of fame?

The Daily Mail’s MARGARET ABRAMS gets the inside scoop from our country music scene snitch…

THE A-LIST

30-year-old Nigerian-American artist SHABOOZEY has been making waves for quite some time now, although he didn’t truly break into mainstream success until 2019 when his hit single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” climbed the charts following the release of his debut album Lady Wrangler in 2018.

Currently, the individual hailing from Virginia, rumored to be in a relationship with model Emily Ratajkowski for approximately two years, is taking the front position.

Currently, Tipsy shares the title for longest-running number one song by a solo artist, matching Lil Nas X’s 2019 hit “Old Town Road”. Moreover, he earned the endorsement from Beyoncé herself, working together on her country album last year.

However, it doesn’t mean that things have been a breeze for the artist. Last year, Shaboozee (whose real name is Collins Obinna Chibueze) faced disappointment at the Country Music Awards when he lost the album of the year award to Cody Johnson. Johnson’s producer made a jest on stage that Shaboozee had been kicking him for years, which some angry fans considered a subtle form of disrespect.

Last year, MEGAN MORONEY, aged 27, was awarded the Country Music Association’s trophy for best artist, despite Shaboozey’s catchy tune being a persistent earworm. Often referred to as an ’emo cowgirl,’ she is known for her humorous TikTok videos and boasts two million followers. Notably, Moroney graduated from the University of Georgia, where she was part of the Kappa Delta sorority.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been following Megan closely, and though there have been rumors about her relationships with Morgan Wallen and Riley Green, she has made it clear that she is currently single. Interestingly, while she continues to showcase her love for country music by covering Taylor Swift songs, she appears to be venturing into the realm of pop music. In fact, just last month, she collaborated with the talented British singer Ed Sheeran on their new hit, Beautiful Things.

While Megan has a modest following, it pales in comparison to the social media phenomenon that is Zach Bryan, aged 28. This former Navy veteran boasts an astounding five million Instagram followers who have been captivated by his transformation from YouTube personality to acclaimed musician.

However, the singer who hails from Japan is not new to stirring up drama. Previously involved with Brianna LaPaglia, Bryan is currently in a relationship with Hannah Duncan, an Australian marketing graduate. Their breakup last year, after 12 months together, garnered widespread attention due to allegations of emotional abuse leveled by the Barstool Sports podcast host. To this day, Bryan has not addressed these claims publicly.

In September, he too had to offer an apology to Swift’s fans (Swifties) following a drunken Twitter rant where he claimed that Kanye West surpassed Taylor Swift, which is not accurate.

Nonetheless, Bryan has been basking in success lately, having just won a Grammy for his collaboration “I Remember Everything” with Kacey Musgraves.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but gush over the emerging luminary, Kelsea Ballerini, who’s been captivating audiences much like my beloved Taylor Swift. At just 31 years old, she’s already making waves in the music industry, renowned for her electrifying live performances and heartfelt lyrics that resonate deeply – even touching upon her personal experiences such as her divorce from Australian country musician Morgan Evans, which unfolded in 2022.

In her album titled “Rolling Up The Welcome Mat,” a singer from Nashville publicly criticized her former spouse, who had been married to her for five years, for consistently being absent during their marriage. This bold move garnered her a significant following among Generation Z fans, and also sparked a new romance with actor Chase Stokes from the series Outer Banks.

THE B-LIST

There’s no superior route to fame than with Beyoncé by your side, as Tanner Adell, aged 24, discovered. He collaborated with her on the country song “Blackbird,” and it was his debut collaboration – not a bad start for a singer-songwriter from Kentucky!

Regarding women’s empowerment, there is perhaps no one more knowledgeable than KASSI ASHTON at the age of 31. This Harley Davidson biker has drawn parallels with country music legends Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood due to her powerful hooks, memorable choruses, and unique hand-sewn wardrobe pieces that command attention.

This month, Kassi’s first expanded album titled “Made From The Dirt” is set to drop, and there’s buzz that she could soon become the next big name in country music.

36-year-old RUSTON KELLY, a previous figure skater, has collaborated with renowned country artists like Tim McGraw. Currently, he’s carving out his own niche in the music industry through his emotionally charged songs, which he labels as ‘dirt emo’.

The Nashville-based artist has successfully battled addiction and a very public divorce with renowned Grammy-winning country singer Kacey Musgraves. His latest venture involves a series of cover songs, one of which is a collaboration with his friend, indie pop sensation Annie DiRusso, on Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit Complicated.

35-year-old MAREN MORRIS gained prominence through her 2018 hit song “The Middle.” She’s been moving seamlessly between country and pop music genres.

Instead of continuing with the genre, she chose to part ways after a heated online dispute over transgender rights with Brittany Kerr, who is married to country musician Jason Aldean. In 2022, when Brittany criticized “the mutilation of children’s genitals,” Maren responded by calling her “a despicable human being.

About a year ago, Maren confessed the reasons behind her departure from country music. She expressed, “I was no longer able to endure the circus… I needed to take in and justify others’ unkind actions and pretend it was all funny.

Simultaneously, the open-about-bisexuality Texan singer finalized her divorce from her fellow country singer Ryan Hurd, who is the father of their son, Hayes.

Currently, it’s being reported that she is embarking on a fresh phase in pop music. To add, with her recent disclosure and celebration of her support for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as acknowledging her own bisexuality, she has reached a point where she is truly authentic to herself.

THE C-LIST 

Emily Ann Roberts, at just sixteen years old, showcased her remarkable vocal talent on “The Voice” in 2015, captivating the audience.

However, following her runner-up position in the talent show, she returned to school, tied the knot with her old sweetheart from high school, and faced challenges as her subsequent singles failed to gain traction on the music charts.

Yet, at 26 years old, she might be on the brink of a revival. In fact, earlier this year, she resumed touring alongside her Voice mentor Blake Shelton for his Friends and Heroes tour.

A trustworthy insider informed The Daily Mail that ‘linking up with Blake turned out to be the most advantageous move for Emily’s career’.

They noted that ‘Blake has always shown genuine concern for his team members, desiring their growth and success. He’s provided guidance and support, proving to be an invaluable asset for the past few years.’

THE D-LIST 

At 31 years old, MORGAN WALLEN could very well be one of the most prosperous figures in country music, boasting a net worth of approximately $12 million and notching up an impressive three chart-topping singles.

However, the individual hailing from Tennessee, a contestant on The Voice in 2014, is also known for being quite contentious.

Over the past week, he gained attention following an unusual exit from Saturday Night Live before the final credits, leaving many viewers describing his actions as awkward and impolite. Later, he shared an enigmatic Instagram post featuring a picture of his private jet with the caption: “Transport me to the land of God.

Apart from his recent slip-ups, it’s worth mentioning that he has had other public blunders too. For instance, in 2020, the father of one was removed from a bar in Nashville and taken into custody for drunkenness and disorderly behavior. Last December, he admitted guilt for two misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment. This was due to him tossing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story building in the city.

Apart from past criticism for disregarding Covid guidelines and using a racial slur toward his companions, he’s also faced scrutiny.

It begs the question: Will fans fall out of love with this country ‘bad boy’?

40-year-old Sam Hunt, a well-known former football player and country singer from Georgia, has recently encountered some legal issues. He garnered widespread recognition in 2014 with his critically acclaimed debut EP, Montevallo, which earned Grammy nominations.

But following his arrest for driving under the influence in 2019 and another incident of speeding in January, his once-reputable image has become marred.

Apart from the allegations of infidelity against him concerning Hannah Lee Fowler, who sought a divorce in 2022, it’s worth noting that they have mended their relationship and now anticipate welcoming their third child within the next month.

THE Z-LIST 

It’s been a whirlwind five years for HARDY, 34, since the release of his debut album.

From Mississippi, the rock artist has garnered two Country Music Association awards, five American Music Awards, and had the opportunity to perform alongside artists like Lainey Wilson and Dierks Bentley.

Despite the fact that Michael Wilson Hardy, also known as Hardy, has been subjected to critique, this occurred following his profanity-laden outburst during a performance opening for Morgan Wallen in September.

In light of the current chaos, it seems many are criticizing life in and citizenship of the United States. To this, I respond emphatically: I respectfully disagree with you!

As the audience applauded heartily for his impassioned address, I was informed that his ‘rustic’ image might pose challenges for those aiming to ‘update’ or ‘bring into the modern era’ the particular genre he represents.

It doesn’t apply to Kyle Coulahan, aged 37, who gained popularity on TikTok with his “Make America Great Again” song titled Still Proud To Be American.

His lyrics took aim at pronouns, inflation and ‘those who wanna take Jesus out of our schools’.

Previously, Coulahan was relatively unrecognized, but he’s since gained popularity among supporters of Donald Trump and been asked to appear on Fox News.

As a lifestyle expert, I can’t predict the future, but with his latest success, he’s certainly made it onto my personal “Z-list” of rising stars to watch!

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2025-04-12 04:35

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