Country singer Maren Morris discussed facing backlash over introducing her young son to drag queens at a benefit concert last year in Tennessee, where legislation had banned drag shows near schools.
She defended the experience on The Kelly Clarkson Show, saying the drag show was family-friendly.
“We were doing a benefit at Bridgestone last year when they were doing the drag ban in Tennessee,” she said. “There were drag queens like throughout, entertaining as well, and one actually danced with me when I was singing my song, ‘The Middle.’ And it was just amazing and fun.”
“My son loves watching me, like sit in the makeup chair and just is like fascinated with the colors … it was just like completely harmless,” she said.
“But I think it’s just such an amazing expression of artistry, and so I just think like normalizing it and making it seem like these are just people that love dressing up, too, is an amazing thing,” she added. “It was an all-ages show so, it was completely family-friendly.”
Morris recalled her son being fascinated watching her get makeup applied and the drag queens’ artistry and positivity.
She emphasized normalizing drag queens as people who love self-expression.
“I brought my son here earlier today for soundcheck, and he’s turning three this week, and we got to go in the room where all the queens were getting ready and doing their makeup. And he freaked out when he went in there, because it’s just magic what drag queens do.”
At the concert, Morris had told the crowd she brought her son to meet the drag queens getting ready and that he loved the atmosphere of “love” in the room.
She famously dared Tennessee to “arrest” her for it.
“There’s wigs everywhere, and the smell of hairspray and wig glue; there’s glitter; everyone’s in a good mood. It’s just like a room of love. . . . And yes, I introduced my son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee, [expletive] arrest me.”
“I never set out to be this activist or advocate,” Morris said.
Morris explained it was important her son see her championing the drag community.
While her 2016 debut faced criticism, she now feels comfortable standing up for marginalized groups, even if it costs her fans.
“It crystallized when I became a mother . . . I want to be able to do music forever, but I want to do it on my terms. And if it costs me fans by standing up for people that truly need all of the megaphoning, I am okay with you, like, not being at the show,” she said.
