\n<\/p>\n
Sometimes America\u2019s sweethearts go sour. From Morgan Wallen<\/strong><\/a> to The Chicks<\/a>, the biggest names in country music have been at the center of some major controversies.<\/p>\n Natalie Maines<\/strong><\/a>, Martie Maguire<\/strong><\/a> and Emily Strayer<\/strong><\/a> found themselves in hot water in the early 2000s after sharing their personal politics on a public stage. While performing across the pond, the trio \u2014 formerly known as the Dixie Chicks \u2014 expressed their disappointment in then-President George W. Bush<\/strong><\/a> as he prepared to send troops to the Middle East.<\/p>\n \u201cJust so you know, we\u2019re ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas,\u201d Maines told the crowd in 2003.<\/p>\n The comment spread like wildfire, and the 13-time Grammy winners subsequently faced consequences<\/a> within the industry. Their record sales slowed and their songs were blacklisted by the genre\u2019s leading radio stations. Though she initially apologized, Maines told TIME magazine in 2006 that she had no regrets.<\/p>\n More recently, Wallen experienced a ban of his own. In February 2021, footage surfaced<\/a> of the \u201c7 Summers\u201d crooner using the N-word, prompting his label to briefly remove him from their roster. Despite not getting played on some radio stations, Wallen\u2019s record soared<\/a> to the top of the charts amid the backlash.<\/p>\n The \u201cCover Me Up\u201d artist revealed in July 2021 that he spent 30 days in a treatment facility after the scandal broke. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean [the word] in any derogatory manner at all,\u201d he told Good Morning America<\/em> at the time. \u201cI think I was just ignorant about it. I don\u2019t think I sat down and was like, \u2018Hey, is this right or is this wrong?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter<\/a> and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Scroll down to see some of country music\u2019s biggest controversies<\/a> through the years, from cheating scandals to legal battles:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n