Maren Morris has ignited a whirlwind of speculation with her latest Instagram post, prompting fans to wonder if she's throwing shade at fellow country star Jason Aldean.
The 'My Church' singer, known for her activism and progressive outlook, shared a cryptic teaser on social media, amping up anticipation for what could be her next big release.
Taking to Instagram, the Grammy-winning artist, 33, posted a video clip featuring miniatures of a picturesque street and an eye-catching billboard.
Maren Morris appears to shade Jason Aldean:The sign, adorned with the American flag, declares, "Welcome to Our Perfect Town From Sunrise to Sundown." Morris captioned the post, "I’m done filling a cup with a hole in the bottom," leaving fans buzzing about the possible implications.
In the tight-knit world of country music, stars and fans alike were quick to comment. Brandi Carlile, who worked with Morris in the female supergroup The Highwomen, reacted with a fire emoji, stating, "Oh it is ON." Cassadee Pope, Julia Michaels, and Brooke Eden also chimed in, bolstering the mystery and excitement.
So why are fans linking this to Aldean's song 'Try That in a Small Town', released earlier this May? Many believe the phrase "Perfect Town" refers to the controversial song.
The track by the 46-year-old country artist drew sharp criticism for its lyrics perceived as pro-gun and pro-violence. When the accompanying music video debuted in July, it continued to fan the flames of controversy, especially due to its setting—the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, notorious for the 1927 lynching of Henry Choate. CMT removed the video from its rotation just four days after its release.
Morris, a vocal ally to the LGBTQ+ community, has never shied away from taking a stand. She has released songs in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and openly championed progressivism within the Nashville music scene.
This wouldn't be the first time she has criticized Aldean or his family.
In 2022, amid states passing anti-trans legislation, Morris called out Brittany Kerr Aldean, Aldean's wife, for making transphobic comments on Instagram. Responding to a tweet by Cassadee Pope, Morris said, "It's so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie."
A frequent subject of both praise and criticism, Morris featured on the cover of Billboard's Pride issue in June. During the interview, she remarked, "I have heard the term 'Shut up and sing' more times than I can count. I don't think any of us got into this art form to be an activist, but that’s ultimately thrust upon you to exist in this space and to feel like you can sleep at night."
As fans eagerly await the full unveiling of Morris's teaser, one thing is for sure: the multi-talented singer-songwriter knows how to keep the public intrigued.
Whether or not the new release directly references Aldean, Morris continues to wield her platform in a way that is unapologetically her own.
