Garth Brooks has asked to be taken out of consideration for the CMA Entertainer of the Year award. The country music star won the award for the seventh time last year, but now he is bowing out to give other performers a chance.
During a press conference via Zoom on Wednesday, Brooks said his decision was motivated by the backlash he faced after receiving the award last year. One tweet in particular made an impression. It read: "Hey, man. This guy, why doesn't he just step down (and leave) the entertainer for the next generation?" Variety reported.
"One hundred percent agreed," Brooks said. "So with all the love in the world, all the gratefulness — because the last thing I wanted to do is seem ungrateful to the CMAs and everybody that has voted for us — we are officially pulling ourselves out of entertainer of the year."
Brooks approached the Country Music Association with the idea of removing himself from eligibility through an "emeritus" declaration, but there is not much he can do if members still choose to nominate him.
"If voters have nominated Garth Brooks in the first round, his name will appear on the second ballot," a statement by the CMA read, according to The Tennessean. The second ballot will be issued on Friday. "It will then be up to voters in this second round to select their top finalists."
Brooks is hoping to still be removed from the category, but if unsuccessful he said he hopes members will honor his request by not voting for him.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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