Gary Owen Compares Billy Ray Cyrus At BET Awards To Beyoncé At CMAs

BY Erika Marie 10.6K Views
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Gary Owen
He says people shouldn't believe negative portrayals of black people in the media.

The BET Awards hangover is still in full effect as people reflect on the network's ceremony this past weekend. Lil Nas X performed his Billy Ray Cyrus-assisted number one hit (for the 12th week in a row!) for a worldwide audience and many couldn't help but remark on how the country music icon was rocking the stage. Comedian Gary Owen noted that country fans weren't as accepting of Beyoncé when she hit the Country Music Award stage back in 2016.

"Here's something I noticed," Owen said. "At the BET Awards this year, Billy Ray Cyrus performed with Lil Nas X and it looked like Billy Ray Cyrus had the time of his f*ckin' life. That dude's having a ball—in the audience and on the stage. But I remember a couple of years ago, Beyoncé performed at the Country Music Awards with the Dixie Chicks and there was the big uproar of how a lot of people didn't feel like Beyoncé should have performed at the CMAs."

"Isn't it crazy?" he continued. "I'm telling you, man. Don't listen to the media when they try to describe what black people are like. 'Cause black people just like to have a good time. Enjoy they self. Nothing like a good song and a good party. Hey, if you're ready to have a good time, come on in and hang out with black people. They'll invite you in. Try it. I tried it early. I'm still here. I'm still partying."


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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