K. Michelle corrects interviewer who claimed she didn't grow up in country music: 'I didn't fly here -- I grew here.
While being interviewed by American Songwriter, the reporter asked the “Tennessee” singer, who also performed during the festival at the Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5 in Nashville, to introduce herself and noted she didn’t grow up in the country music world.
SNIP-----
Regarding country music, trust, this is not K. Michelle’s first rodeo.
The 43-year-old singer recently had to remind a reporter of this fact during an appearance at CMA Fest 2025, when she claimed the artist didn’t grow up in the country music world.
While being interviewed by American Songwriter, the reporter asked the “Tennessee” singer, who also performed during the festival at the Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5 in Nashville, to introduce herself and noted she didn’t grow up in the country music world.
“I did grow up in country music,” Michelle responded, per iHeart Radio. “I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I got a scholarship for yodeling — that’s how I paid for college… I didn’t fly here — I grew here.”
She added that the first tape she recorded was her version of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge,” which she also performed when she was invited to help honor the legacy of the late Naomi Judd. However, despite her roots and background in music, the genre-blending artist noted she was told she couldn’t sing country because she was a Black woman.
https://thegrio.com/2025/06/11/k-michelle-corrects-interviewer-who-claimed-she-didnt-grow-up-in-country-music-i-didnt-fly-here-i-grew-here/