Over two decades into one of country music’s most successful careers,Miranda Lambertis more open than ever to exploring — and experimenting with — her image.
In an exclusive clip from Friday’s episode ofWho’s Talking toChris Wallace?, Lambert, 39, opens up to the CNN host about how her limitations around her image have evolved over the course of her career.
The country singer said that when she was first starting out in the industry in the early 2000s, she had to put up a fight against people whom she said tried to “change” her — both in terms of her look and the clothes she wore, and her sound.
“There was a risk of people trying to dress me in a way that I didn’t want to dress or change my sound, and I just wasn’t gonna go for that, even really young,” she told Wallace of industry opinions at the beginning of her career — at a time when she wasn’t even 20 years old.
Lambert continued, “I just kind of knew. It’s not about that. It’s about what I have to say, because I knew I had some really great messages I wanted to share with the world and I wanted that to be through song and not through, you know, a crop top.”
The “Drunk” singer said that even as young as she was, “I was really about sticking to my guns — especially in my early years in the business of just wanting it to really be about the music.”
Miranda Lambert.Jason Kempin/Getty
In the years since her breakthrough into country music — she released her self-titled debut album independently in 2001 and hasn’t stopped climbing since — Lambert said that she’s loosened the reins when it comes to what she is and isn’t willing to do — or wear.
“There were some moments where I was being pushed in directions that I just wasn’t comfortable,” she said as Wallace, 75, asked about what kind of changes those around her wanted to make. “So I stood my ground, but as I’ve gotten older and more into the industry, I’ve kind of relaxed in that.”
Now, Lambert said that she’s “started to enjoy the process of maybe pushing some boundaries” in areas where she previously would have resisted.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The “Mama’s Broken Heart” singer has an exciting month ahead as she gears up for the 2023Academy of Country Music Awardson May 11 — an award show where she’s the reigning queen, boasting the most ACM awards than any other artist in history.
This year, she’sup for awards in five categories, including entertainer of the year, female artist of the year and album of the year for 2022’sPalomino.
Lambert called the album, which topped country charts after its release, “one of the most fun and creative experiences of my career.”
Palominoalso marks the last album Lambert will release with Sony Records, the label she’s been signed with since she began her career, but recently parted ways with.
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New episodes ofWho’s Talking to Chris Wallace?air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on CNN, and are available to stream on HBO Max.
source: people.com
