CMA Responds to Beyonce Backlash: She Was Not Erased From Promos Due to Angry Fans

The CMA organization is responding to backlash that Beyoncé was removed from promotional material because some fans were upset the singer would be performing with the Dixie Chicks at the country show.

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In a statement, the organization said: “CMA has not erased any mentions of Beyoncé’s performance on the CMA Awards. In advance of the broadcast, CMA removed a 5-second promotional clip from ABC.com and CMA’s Facebook page. The promo was unapproved and CMA removed it prior to the broadcast. Beyoncé’s performance with Dixie Chicks was a highlight of the evening and we are continuing to share the amazing full-length performance clip via our official social channels.”

Some fans took to social media to blast the CMA’s and Dixie Chicks because Beyoncé, who is not a country artist, would be performing. Others were upset because of Beyoncé's stance on police activism and involvement in Black Lives Matter.

“Why are you showing Beyoncé & Dixie Chicks? One doesn’t believe in America & our police force while the other didn’t support our president & veterans during war,” was one comment on Facebook.

"Next time lets not invite artist who support racist organizations and are anti-police," was another comment on Facebook.

"I didn't watch her part. She has no business performing on the CMA's," was another.

Beyoncé's passionate fans, known as the Beyhive, took to social media to offer a theory that the CMA Awards had removed the “Single Ladies” singer from promotional materials to diminish the backlash.

Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks perform “Daddy Lessons,” and following the controversy, Sarah Trahern, the chief executive of the Country Music Association, told The New York Times: “Beyoncé’s team hadn’t approved that [promo], so we pulled it down. Fans can get kind of passionate and read other things into it.”

Trahern added that the CMA organization stands by Beyoncé and Dixie Chicks performance, adding: “If a program moves people so much one way or another, I think we’ve had a successful show.”

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Beyonce did not acknowledge the controversy and has posted photos on Instagram of behind the scenes moments.

Dixie Chicks however, have tweeted: “If we all turn this up really loud, together we can drown out the hate,” and offered a free download of their performance.

The band's outspoken frontwoman, Natalie Maines, took to Twitter to blast the controversy, saying:

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