Maren Morris has explained her absence from the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
The country star revealed to her Instagram followers on Sunday that she wouldn't be attending the annual awards show in Austin, Texas, even though she was nominated for an award. She explained in a video that she was flying to New York City that night to promote her and Karina Argow's new children's book, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure.
"Book tour week officially commences. Karina and I are flying to New York tonight, so we'll see you Wednesday at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square," the 33-year-old said.
She added that they will also make appearances at Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles on Thursday and Parnassus Books in Nashville on Saturday.
"We're excited to end our book tour week at a local book store that we love so much. Hometown book signing. We can't wait to see you. Let's go!" she concluded her video.
The singer-songwriter was nominated for the CMT Performance of the Year award alongside Hozier for their duet of his song Take Me to Church on CMT Crossroads. The prize went to Jelly Roll for his performance of Need a Favor from last year's CMT Music Awards.
Maren hit headlines in September last year when it was reported that she was leaving country music. However, she later clarified in November that she was not leaving the genre entirely.
"I would just clarify I've not left country music - that was the headline," she said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "Actually, what I said was I'm leaving behind the sort of toxic parts of it. And that's like any part of the music industry - just certain things that I'm in control of. I want to take the good parts with me."
