John Schneider, the actor and singer best known for his role as Bo Duke in the hit TV show Dukes of Hazzard, has sparked outrage for his derogatory remarks about Beyoncé and her new country song.
In an interview with the conservative network One America News, Schneider was asked about his opinion on “leftist” musicians who venture into different genres, such as the pop superstar who recently released a country song called Texas Hold 'Em.
Schneider, who also had a successful career as a country singer in the 1980s, compared Beyoncé to a dog marking its territory.
“They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park. You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right? So that’s what’s going on here,” he said.
He also implied that Beyoncé was not a genuine country artist, unlike others who started in the genre and then expanded their musical horizons.
“Shania and the other folks you talked about, what they did is they were in country music and they went out. That’s one thing… Because I know a little something about country music,” he said.
Schneider’s comments have been widely condemned as racist, sexist, and disrespectful by fans, critics, and fellow artists.
Many pointed out the hypocrisy of Schneider, who has been vocal about his support for former President Donald Trump and his false claims of election fraud, accusing Beyoncé of being a “leftist” and trying to take over everything.
Others highlighted the fact that Beyoncé has roots in Texas and has incorporated country elements in some of her previous songs, such as Daddy Lessons and Formation.
Some also noted the history of black women in country music, who have often faced discrimination and exclusion from the industry.
Beyoncé herself has not responded to Schneider’s remarks, but she has received an overwhelming amount of praise and support for her new song and her upcoming album, Renaissance: Act II, which is expected to be a country-influenced project.
Texas Hold 'Em, which debuted during the Super Bowl, has been a hit on streaming platforms and radio stations, despite some resistance from some conservative outlets.
The song, which features a banjo, a fiddle, and a harmonica, is a tribute to Beyoncé’s home state and her love for poker.
The song also showcases Beyoncé’s vocal range and versatility, as she switches from singing to rapping to yodeling.
Beyoncé has not revealed the release date of her new album, but she has teased that it will be the second part of a trilogy, following her 2021 album Renaissance: Act I, which was a pop and R&B masterpiece.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the third and final act, which is rumored to be a rock-inspired album.
