Maren Morrisisn’t afraid to speak up for what’s right.
In the new issue of PEOPLE, the country singer opens up about championing change in Nashville.
Morris — whose new album,Humble Quest, drops Friday — says thatwelcoming her son Hayeswith her singer-songwriterhusbandRyan Hurdwas a turning point for her both personally and creatively.
“He’s already taught me so much about how to be a person,” Morris, 31, says of Hayes, who justturned 2. “It helped me see things in a deeper way and just feel more empathy for my fellow humans, having to raise one.”
Maren Morris.Harper Smith
Since launching to fame in 2016 with her breakout single “My Church,” Morris hasn’t hesitated to call out sexist double standards and racial inequality in Nashville. And in 2020, she used her female vocalist of the year speech at the CMA Awards tocelebrate Black female country artists.
As country music continues to go through “massive growing pains,” Morris hopes to help make the community she’s dedicated her life to diverse and open to all.
“It’s not going to be an overnight thing to feel like it’s more inclusive, but I am seeing it change for the better,” she says. “Even if I’ve lost fans along the way, I’m truly willing to put my own ass on the line to stand up for what’s right. When you come to a show of mine, I want it to feel fun and safe. And anyone from any walk of life can show up that night and know that they will be accepted. So if I have to slap off some randos along the way, it’s honestly for the betterment of country music.”
These days, Morris is channeling the chutzpah she employed in her early career, which inspired her latest single off ofHumble Quest, “Circles Around This Town.”
“I think in a lot of ways I had more of my s— together back then than I do recently, because you just have all of that blind confidence when you don’t know what you’re doing,” Morris says. “But I’m learning to be that fearless, no-holds- barred girl again, and I am getting back to her in a lot of ways — but also in a more mature, give-zero-f—s way.”
For more onMaren Morris, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.
source: people.com
