Miranda Lambert has opened up about the challenges she faced while establishing herself in the country music scene during a period when female artists struggled for recognition. The Grammy-winning star reflected on her journey during a recent episode of The New York Times’ Popcast, highlighting the significant gender imbalance in the industry.
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The country star entered the Nashville scene in the early 2000s, a time when she felt a strong determination to be acknowledged for her songwriting talents rather than her appearance. “I think the early 2000s, when I started, I was a pistol,” Lambert shared with hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli. She noted the prevailing expectation for women in country music at the time was to dress provocatively and focus on their looks rather than their artistry.
As Lambert built her career, she observed a stark decline in the number of female artists breaking through. “In the 2010 era, it was like there were no females at all,” she remarked. Initially, many women rose in the genre alongside her, but as time went on, she struggled to see new talent emerge. Lambert expressed a sense of disbelief at the lack of representation and noted how this affected her and her peers.
Among those who successfully navigated the challenging landscape was Carrie Underwood, who won ‘American Idol’ in 2005 and has since become another defining figure in country music. Reflecting on their concurrent journeys, Lambert said, “Carrie Underwood and I made it through pretty much a solid, at least, seven years of only guy artists coming out of country music.” Their ability to thrive in such a male-dominated environment, according to Lambert, deserves recognition.
Despite being at the top of their game, Lambert and Underwood seldom had the opportunity to meet professionally, which speaks volumes about the lack of female representation in country music. Lambert reminisced about the first time they saw one another perform, which occurred just three years ago when they attended each other’s Las Vegas residencies. She remarked, “You know why? There were only two girls for so long. We weren’t playing the same shows ever.”
Today, Lambert perceives a more encouraging atmosphere for female artists in the industry, attributing this shift to the rise of streaming platforms and social media which have provided greater avenues for emerging talent. “I’m so thankful that there’s room for a crowd now,” she said, acknowledging the diversity of voices now seeking to be heard within country music. Lambert believes that fans now wield more power to choose the content they wish to engage with, allowing for a broader spectrum of musical expression.
However, Lambert also reflected on the isolation and difficulties she faced in an industry where few women could relate to her experiences. “It’s lonely up here, and it’s a scary place,” she explained, sharing that she often lacked a fellow female artist who could understand the highs and lows she encountered along her journey.
Now, Lambert is committed to supporting the next generation of female country artists, hoping to provide guidance that she found lacking during her rise to fame. “You don’t really know how to answer those questions or give advice if you didn’t actually live it,” she stated, emphasising her desire to be a resource for younger musicians stepping onto the country music stage.
To coincide with these reflections on her career and the changing landscape of the industry, Lambert’s latest album, titled ‘Crisco,’ is scheduled for release on Friday, October 2. The album marks another chapter in her innovative exploration of sound within a genre that has evolved significantly over the years. As she continues to build her legacy, Lambert remains an inspiring figure for aspiring female artists navigating the complex world of country music.