\n<\/p>\n
Country trio Lady A was known as Lady Antebellum for 13 years before changing their name in 2020.\n<\/p>\n
Lady A \u2013 the band made up by Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood <\/strong>and Charles Kelley<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 removed \u201cantebellum\u201d from their name due to its connotations with the pre-Civil War era in America. They made the decision in June 2020 as the Black Lives Matter movement picked up following George Floyd\u2019s death.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve watched and listened more than ever these last few weeks, and our hearts have been stirred with conviction, our eyes opened wide to the injustices, inequality and biases Black women and men have always faced and continue to face everyday. Now, blindspots we didn\u2019t even know existed have been revealed.\u201d<\/p>\n The group said they made the decision \u201cafter much personal reflection and discussion\u201d and confirmed that they had \u201cmany honest conversations with some of [their] Black friends and colleagues\u201d before dropping \u201cantebellum\u201d from their name.<\/p>\n In December 2020, they expanded on their decision during an appearance on The Tamron Hall Show<\/em>. \u201cWe want our music and our live shows and, you know, anything we\u2019re part of \u2026 for everyone to feel welcome and invited,\u201d Hillary shared. \u201cAnd we realized, you know, over the summer \u2013 I think not touring and watching this movement happen that is so needed in this country and around the world \u2013 we started to see what our part was, what part of our first steps and making a difference could be. And so changing our name was the first step.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAntebellum\u201d literally means \u201cbefore the war,\u201d and has come to be associated with the time before the Civil War in America when slavery was prevalent.<\/p>\n In their June 2020 statement, Lady A explained why they initially chose Lady Antebellum as their name when they formed their group in 2007.<\/p>\n \u201cWe named our band after the southern \u2018antebellum\u2019 style home where we took our first photos,\u201d they wrote. \u201cAs musicians, it reminded us of all the music born in the south that influenced us \u2026 southern rock, blues, R&B, gospel and of course country. But we are regretful and embarrassed to say that we did not take into account the associations that weigh down this word referring to the period of history before the Civil War, which includes slavery.\u201d<\/p>\n They added, \u201cWe are deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued. Causing pain was never our hearts\u2019 intention, but it doesn\u2019t change the fact that indeed, it did just that.\u201d<\/p>\n The trio concluded their message by acknowledging that it took them far too long to make this necessary change. \u201cThe answer is that we can make no excuse for our lateness to this realization,\u201d they said. \u201cWhat we can do is acknowledge it, turn from it and take action.\u201d<\/p>\n In a 2021 interview with People<\/em><\/a>, the group said that George Floyd\u2019s murder brought the conversation about the meaning of \u201cantebellum\u201d to their attention. \u201cUnderstanding what it implied, what it made people feel \u2013 we had never asked,\u201d Hillary said. \u201cAnd so when we did, we realized unanimously that this word is offensive.\u201d<\/p>\n The day after Lady A announced their name change, singer Anita White<\/strong> \u2013 who had been going by the stage name Lady A for more than 20 years \u2013 expressed her frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re using the name because of a Black Lives Matter incident that, for them, is just a moment in time,\u201d Anita told Rolling Stone<\/em>. \u201cIf it mattered, it would have mattered to them before. It shouldn\u2019t have taken George Floyd to die for them to realize that their name had a slave reference to it.\u201d She also said the group did not reach out to her first, which she called \u201cpure privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n One week later, the musicians met up and had a \u201ctransparent, honest, and authentic\u201d talk, according to statements on their respective Instagram pages. \u201cWe are excited to share we are moving forward with positive solutions and common ground.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the next day, Anita accused the country group of trying to \u201cerase\u201d her. The band filed a lawsuit against Anita on July 9. \u201cShe and her team have demanded a $10 million payment, so reluctantly we have come to the conclusion that we need to ask a court to affirm our right to continue to use the name Lady A, a trademark we have held for many years,\u201d they said in a statement. \u201cWe hope Anita and the advisers she is now listening to will change their minds about their approach.\u201d<\/p>\n Anita accused Lady A of \u201cusing their wealth and influence<\/a> to intimidate and bully me into submission without offering any real recompense for appropriating my name.\u201d She claimed they were \u201cinsincere\u201d in their apologies and really only \u201caimed at quieting\u201d her.<\/p>\n Lady A and Anita reached a settlement in 2022 when they both asked a federal judge to dismiss their lawsuits, Billboard<\/em><\/a> reported. The terms of the settlement were not publicized.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhat Does \u2018Lady Antebellum\u2019 Mean?<\/h2>\n
Did Lady A Win Their Lawsuit Against Singer With Same Name?<\/h2>\n