The backlash was swift and divided.

Fans of traditional country music rallied behind her, praising her for standing firm in her belief that the genre should remain true to its roots.

“Country music has its own identity. We don’t need pop stars parachuting in for a quick cash grab,” one fan tweeted.

Others echoed sentiments about the genre being diluted by outside influences, seeing McBride’s alleged rejection as a stand for artistic integrity.

On the other hand, Beyoncé’s fans, affectionately called the BeyHive, were quick to call out McBride for what they perceived as an unnecessary and disrespectful remark.

“Beyoncé is a multi-genre artist who’s brought attention and respect to every genre she’s touched. This statement reeks of elitism,” one fan wrote.

Even prominent figures in the music industry weighed in. Country artist Kacey Musgraves, known for blending pop and country, tweeted:

“Music is about connection, not division. Collaboration can only enrich our art.”

This incident highlights a longstanding debate within the music industry: the tension between preserving genre traditions and embracing evolution. Country music, in particular, has often found itself at the crossroads of this conversation.

Αrtists like Lil Nas X, whose breakout hit “Old Town Road” fused country and hip-hop, faced similar criticism from purists. Beyoncé herself previously dipped into country music with her track “Daddy Lessons” from the album Lemonade, earning praise and skepticism alike.

McBride’s alleged comment underscores a deeper cultural divide about what defines “authentic” country music and who gets to participate in shaping its future.