K. Michelle Checks Interviewer Who Dismissed Her Country Background In Viral Exchange

K. Michelle shut down a dismissive question about her country music background during an interview at CMA Fest 2025 after the interviewer implied she was new to the genre.

The tense moment came during a sit-down with American Songwriter when the host asked her to introduce herself, saying, “You didn’t grow up here in country music.”

The comment didn’t sit well with Michelle, who quickly corrected the record.

“You do this all the time,” she fired back. “I did grow up in country music. I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I got a scholarship for yodeling — that’s how I paid for college.”

Michelle, who has long been vocal about the barriers she has faced in the country music industry, didn’t hold back.

“I was told I couldn’t sing country music because I was Black,” she added. “But it was something I had always been doing, and I will continue to do. I didn’t fly here — I grew here.”

When the interviewer tried to soften the exchange by pointing out, “We just haven’t heard you on contemporary country radio,” Michelle doubled down.

“Well, you don’t hear a lot of women on contemporary radio period right now, okay,” she replied. “And you really don’t hear a Black one. But you will.”

CLEARED HER! pic.twitter.com/knMzkxzAFP

— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) June 11, 2025

The exchange quickly went viral online, with social media users rallying behind Michelle and criticizing the interviewer’s lack of preparation.

“CLEARED HER!” one user wrote in a reposted clip.

Another added, “& the person interviewing K would know that IF SHE DID ACTUAL RESEARCH ON K MICHELLE. how are you a journalist and you don’t know anything about the artist you’re interviewing?! even i knew about Kimbers yodeling vocal history.”

Some drew comparisons to Beyoncé, who has also faced criticism while stepping into country music.

“lol K Michelle said all the stuff Beyonce can’t say,” one user commented.

Another wrote, “She didn’t do her research AT ALL. K. Michelle has been trying to get recognized in country music since the beginning of time. Since Beyoncé made her album, they finally started giving black country singers [a little] credit.”