They say time heals all wounds, but at least one of these canceled country stars would like to argue otherwise.
Words matter. Actions — especially illegal actions — matter. It’s never just about the music, and frankly, that’s a good thing.
When someone is accused of sexual assault and the evidence file is thick, the larger population should pause and consider a punishment not available to a judge.
This list of canceled country stars features three racial slurs, one anti-gay musing and one political statement that by comparison feels minor league to the transgressions around it. Sometimes an artist bounces back. Actually, that’s the truth for five of the eight celebrities listed below.
As for the other three? Well, we’ll see. Maybe we need even more time.
What Does It Mean to Be Canceled?
“Canceled” is a term loosely used to describe the loss of significant professional opportunities or status among the general population. It usually begins with a provocative statement or action. Then, public sentiment grows to condemn that statement/action, and by extension, the human being responsible.
Attempts to weaponize cancellation are usually short-lived, especially if the transgression happened years ago. Contrition can go a long way to right wrong-headed statements made as a teenager.
Related: Country Stars Charged With Horrific Crimes — No. 8 Is Infuriating!
Sometimes an act is so heinous that the star just can’t come back, and you’ll find a couple of examples of this on our list of canceled stars.
Amazingly, one superstar did come back after being canceled in another genre. In fact, he’s now in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
This list is an accounting of what happened, with no intended opinion on the outcome. It’s fair to argue that justice was served in some cases and over-served in others, but we won’t be the ones to lead that convo right now.
8 Canceled Country Celebrities + What They Did To Earn It
There are certain things you never say and certainly things you never do in country music. Honestly, most of what got these eight celebrities canceled in country would get you scrubbed in other forms of entertainment as well, but not all of them (see No. 4 and No. 7).
This list is here to report history, not to offer an opinion on if justice was served. Five of the eight stars bounced back, and one even worked his way into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Time heals most wounds, it seems.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
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