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The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas hosted the 2023 CMT Awards on Sunday, and country music stars—along with legends of other genres like Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani and Black Crowes—showed up for an unforgettable night of electric performances and heartfelt speeches.
Of course, no country music event could ever be complete without the one and only Shania Twain, the best-selling female artist in country music history.
The "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" singer was honored with CMT's Equal Play Award by Megan Thee Stallion who introduced the five-time Grammy winner as "an outspoken ally against every hate of all kind."
She gushed:
"I don't wanna cheese this hard because I just met her and that's my new bestie."
"She's hot girl Shania!"
Upon accepting the award for using her platform to speak out against inequity in the industry, Twain acknowledged the song that became a 25+ year anthem for many.
"When I wrote the phrase, 'Man! I Fell Like a Woman,' I had no idea at the time that it would be the undercurrent of a decades-long career, and get adopted by an array of fantastic communities around the world, and become a genuine path of power and progress for women in country music."
She continued, promising to keep fighting for "the many outstanding country artists who are not currently played, streamed, signed or awarded at the level they deserve."
"I believe in an all-inclusive country music."
"We're like a family... let us, the country music industry, do our part to close the gap and provide an equal workspace for all talent."
"Let's ensure that all our fellow artists get equal play, regardless of gender, age or race."
You can watch her full speech below.
\u201cIcon. Legend. 2023 CMT Equal Play Honoree, @ShaniaTwain. \u2764\ufe0f\n\nWe are so honored to celebrate her tonight at the #CMTAwards!\u201d— CMT (@CMT) 1680487686
Viewers of Twain's speech applauded not only her role in paving the way for female artists in the industry but also for her continued advocacy for systemic equity and inclusivity in country music.
\u201c@CMT @ShaniaTwain She deserves this award so much! She is an icon and trailblazer. She always is so supportive of other artists and women in the music industry \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— CMT (@CMT) 1680487686
\u201c@CMT @ShaniaTwain \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— CMT (@CMT) 1680487686
\u201c@CMT @ShaniaTwain Trailbllaizer butterfly you are as you support those of thus far unrecognized talent.\u201d— CMT (@CMT) 1680487686
\u201c@CMT @ShaniaTwain You're #StillTheOne, @ShaniaTwain! Keep on going up and shining! We're here to support you! Let's go!\u201d— CMT (@CMT) 1680487686
\u201c@ShaniaTwain @CMT We love you Shania! You absolutely deserve this award for being a Trailblazer and a Champion to all artists regardless of their age, gender, race. We love you Queen! \u2665\ufe0f\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
\u201c@ShaniaTwain @CMT Shania being an icon. Just another day for her really \ud83d\udc9c\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
\u201c@ShaniaTwain @CMT Your impact is more than just lyrics, amazing hooks and music we adore!\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
\u201c@ShaniaTwain @CMT That\u2019s the way it should be. Thank you, Shania.And thank you for all your music\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
\u201c@ShaniaTwain @CMT Blaze away, girl! \ud83d\udd25 \ud83d\ude4c we\u2019re right behind you!\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
The artist herself even took to Twitter to thank CMT for the award, vowing:
"I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer."
"Let's work together to ensure that all our fellow artists get equal play, regardless of gender, age or race."
\u201cThank you to @CMT again for honouring me with the CMT Equal Play Award. I\u2019m truly touched and I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer - Lets work together to ensure that all our fellow artists get equal play, regardless of gender, age or race. #CMTAwards\u201d— Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e (@Shania Twain \ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e\ud83d\udc8e) 1680539075
... as they should.