Kelsea Ballerini wants to see country music become more inclusive

Kelsea Ballerini, recently named one of Time’s 100 Next influential people, has said she wants to see country music become more inclusive.

"It’s a process, and we’re undoing a way that, specifically, country music has done things forever,” she told Time. “It’s making sure that we’re giving a voice to new artists; we’re giving a voice to unsigned artists who represent underrepresented groups in Nashville because they’re not getting a chance to be signed.”

“Nobody says people don’t want to jam out to guys on the radio. I do. I also want to hear from women. Just as much, maybe more,” she added. “I also want to hear from people of colour, from the LGBTQ+ community. I want to hear all the voices we hear on pop radio on country radio.”

She also stated that she did not feel comfortable speaking as the representative for all country artists. “One person cannot speak for everyone. That is true for country music,” she said.

“I am in control of standing in what I believe in — and being a kind, good person who works towards making the world a more heard, safe, and inclusive place in whatever capacity I can do.”

Her vision for a more accepting country music scene was evident in her performance at the CMT awards, when Ballerini brought a group of drag queens up on stage to perform with her in protest of ongoing legislation changes against drag artists in the U.S.