Shaboozey speaks out after his shady side eye at Megan Moroney at the AMAs went viral

It wouldn’t be an awards show without a bit of shady drama, and this time it was courtesy of country stars Shaboozey and Megan Moroney at the AMAs 2025. In what was otherwise a widely dragged and very boring showing for the “grand” return of the American Music Awards, at least we were kept slightly fed in the drama department with a shady face that went viral. Most assumed Shaboozey pulled the face in question in response to a comment made by Megan Moroney as the duo presented an award – but now after all the rumours Shaboozey has spoken out to give more context of what he was actually doing at the AMAs when THAT moment happened.

The comment and the face

Yesterday, everyone was discussing the face Shaboozey made as Megan Moroney made a comment when the pair of them handed out the award for Favourite Country Duo or Group at the AMAs. Before the award was handed out, Shaboozey read from the teleprompter saying “Country music has been an important part of AMA history. The very first year of this show, the award for Favourite Male Country Artist went to the great Charlie Pride.”

Moroney then continued “That same year, Favourite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [Favourite Country Duo or Group] went to the Carter Family, who basically invented country music.”

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It was this comment about the Carter Family, who were American folk music hitmakers in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, that appeared to get Shaboozey to do the now viral side eye and then do a little laugh before continuing on. People online were unsure whether it was the claim that the Carter Family invented an entire genre of music was the reason for the face. Some were speculating it was Beyoncé shade, too – after her recent venture into country music with last year’s acclaimed and Grammy winning album Cowboy Carter.

Shaboozey spoke out to clarify

Shaboozey spoke out to say that the viral face had “nothing to do” with Megan Moroney, and gave further clarification by saying in a statement “Just want to clear something up: my reaction at the AMAs had nothing to do with Megan Moroney! She’s an incredibly talented, hard-working artist who’s doing amazing things for country music and I’ve got nothing but respect for her. I’ve seen some hateful comments directed at her today, and that’s not what this moment was about. Let’s not twist the message – she is amazing and someone who represents the country community in the highest light!”

It’s still actually unclear what his face was referring to. But at least Megan can sleep soundly.

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