In the world of country music, stars like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood are no strangers to the limelight. They’ve won numerous awards, sold millions of records, and have legions of adoring fans. But even the most beloved celebrities aren’t immune to the harsh, and often absurd, criticisms of the internet. Recently, Bryan and Underwood proved they could take a joke, no matter how cutting, by participating in the popular "Mean Tweets" segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The segment aired after the 49th CMA Awards, an event where the country music industry comes together to celebrate its biggest achievements. Following the glamorous night, viewers were treated to a different kind of entertainment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where country stars read aloud some of the nastiest tweets directed at them. The result was a mix of humor, humility, and a bit of self-deprecation.
Luke Bryan, who has been crowned the CMA Entertainer of the Year twice, was the first to step up to the plate. The tweet he read took a jab at his music in a brutally honest way: “You ever gotten so drunk you said a Luke Bryan song actually wasn’t that bad? Me neither.” Rather than being offended, Bryan took the insult in stride, showcasing the thick skin he’s developed over years in the industry.
Bryan’s response set the tone for the rest of the segment, showing that even the most cutting remarks couldn’t dampen his spirits. It’s this kind of good-natured attitude that has endeared him to fans, and likely why he was chosen to lead off the segment.
Carrie Underwood, who co-hosted the CMAs alongside Brad Paisley, was another major star featured in the segment. Known for her powerful voice and impeccable style, Underwood is often the subject of both admiration and criticism.
In the "Mean Tweets" segment, she read a tweet that poked fun at her pristine image in a surprisingly vulgar way. But like Bryan, Underwood took it in stride, laughing off the comment with her signature grace.
Underwood’s participation in the segment was a reminder that even though she’s a country music powerhouse, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. It’s this ability to laugh at herself that makes her all the more relatable to her fans.
The segment also featured several other country stars, each taking their turn reading tweets that ranged from mildly insulting to outright crude. Darius Rucker couldn’t contain his laughter as he read a tweet that not only misspelled his name but also insulted his musical talents in a particularly harsh way. Meanwhile, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox was left in hysterics after reading a tweet that begged the band to “stop making music.”
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the segment came when 82-year-old Willie Nelson responded to a tweet that joked about his longevity and marijuana use.
The tweet read, “Marijuana works wonders. Just look at Willie Nelson. Bastard is still alive and won’t die.” With his trademark humor, Nelson simply replied, “You got it!” and broke into a wide grin, leaving the audience in stitches.
The "Mean Tweets" segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! has become a beloved part of the show, giving celebrities a chance to show they’re in on the joke.
For country stars like Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and the others who participated, it was an opportunity to connect with fans on a different level, showing that they’re not just superstars, but people who can laugh at themselves just like everyone else.
In a world where social media can often be harsh and unforgiving, it’s refreshing to see these stars take the criticism in stride. By laughing off the insults, they not only disarm the trolls but also remind their fans why they love them in the first place: for their talent, their humility, and their sense of humor.
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