Maren Morris in Los Angeles in February 2023.Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty
Maren Morrisis reflecting on 2023 as she looks toward the future.
Before the “My Church” singer is honored with the visionary award at the upcoming2024BillboardWomen in Musicceremony, shespoke to the outletabout the past year of her life and career — during which she’s gottendivorced from ex-husbandRyan Hurdand announced she’s stepping away from many aspects of the country genre.
Explaining what 2023 was about for her, Morris, 33, said, “I’m going to sound so Pinterest, but I think just letting go. Or changeover.”
Maren Morris in New York City in May 2023.Taylor Hill/WireImage
Taylor Hill/WireImage
“I feel like I’m on this precipice of massive, massive change. And the music’s certainly reflecting that,” added the Grammy winner, who’s working on new music with the likes of producerJack Antonoff.
Many changes have occurred in Morris' life over the last 12 months. In a September 2023 interview with theLos Angeles Times, the “’80s Mercedes” performerannounced she was planning to “take a step back” from country music, explaining that she’s felt “very, very distanced” from industry and its politics.
Maren Morris in New York City in December 2023.Cindy Ord/Getty
Cindy Ord/Getty
During an appearance onWatch What Happens LivewithAndy Cohentwo months after theLA Timesinterview, sheclarified that she’s “not left country music” entirelybecause the genre will always fuel her sound. However, she explained that she wants to “leave behind” the “toxic parts” of the industry.
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd in Los Angeles in February 2023.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Elsewhere in the new interview withBillboard, Morris expressed hope to find “joy and inner peace” after a period of time where she felt they were out of reach. “I wish it wasn’t such a struggle for me. Not that I think so highly of myself, but I wish I didn’t have such a throbbing heartbeat for world suffering,” she said.
“I sometimes wish I could just put my head in the sand and enjoy my privilege, but I don’t want to do that. That’s not the life for me,” added the star. “But I think I’m letting go of having everyone around me put their feet to the fire. I can only focus on myself and align myself with people that have the same wants and morals.”
Maren Morris performs in Boston in May 2023.Astrida Valigorsky/Getty
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty
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Morris then declared, “I want this year to be about my own happiness — becoming a better mom and boss and human and writer and all the things.”
At the 2024BillboardWomen in Music event at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on March 6, Morris will be honored alongsideKylie Minogue,Ice Spice,Charli XCX, Young Miko, Victoria Monét, NewJeans, TEMS and Luísa Sonza.
source: people.com
