Tanner Adell Says Lainey Wilson Gave Her the Best Advice About Being a Woman in Country Music
The country music star spoke to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
Welcome to Nice Talk, hosted by Marie Claire Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike. Each week, Nikki sits down with fascinating women—entertainers, entrepreneurs, creators, athletes, and changemakers—to discuss money, power, and style. “Well-behaved” women have long been discouraged from speaking on these topics—style should be effortless, and conversations about money or power aren’t “proper,” “ladylike,” or “nice.” But Nikki's definition of a Nice Talk is one where all parties walk away feeling empowered. You can listen to Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Singer-songwriter Tanner Adell knows how important it is for women to stick together in the country music industry.
The musician, who has a self-described "glam country style" and is known for reclaiming sexist stereotypes in cowboy culture in her music, opens up on the Marie Claire podcast "Nice Talk" about how she turns to other female artists for support. As her career has taken off since the 2023 release of her debut album Buckle Bunny, Adell says she's particularly taken to asking for advice from Lainey Wilson, who experienced a similar rapid ascension.
"Being a woman in country music, period, is really hard," Adell says. "You're competing against a lot of men who tend to dominate this genre. They dominate the radio. It's really hard for women to get radio play in country music. So the girls are sticking together."
The country music star shares that she's been getting to know Wilson, who she has "a lot of respect for," in recent months. "We've had a few moments to sit down and really talk," she says.
Adell shares that she and Wilson (who both contributed to the Twisters original soundtrack) were recently at the same charity event in L.A. where she asked her for advice over a 30-minute conversation. "I always wonder with someone like Lainey how her success has affected [her] relationships, specifically with men and other artists that are men in country music," she says. "So we talked about it—and it truly is like the girls gotta have each other's backs and it's not a competition."
She continues, "One thing she said was, 'There's room for all of us. We can all be making music and we can all support each other, and we don't have to be nasty or be talking behind each other's backs 'cause the boys don't have our backs.'"
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Adell notes on "Nice Talk" that Wilson isn't the only friend and mentor she's had in the industry. "Very early on, Mickey Guyton was a friend to me, and she's still someone who I just have a lot of trust in," the singer reveals. "When I'm having my doubts or things, I'll call her up and rant to her."
"She's been through all this. I absolutely love her. She feels like a big sister to me," she adds. "Lainey and Mickey have been very, not even just kind, but compassionate and really are there for me. [They] have been through it—and their opinion is the most valid opinion ever.
Adell opens up more about making strides as a Black woman in country music, her experience finding financial security as a musician, and more on this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is out now wherever you listen to podcasts.
Sadie Bell is the Senior Culture Editor at Marie Claire, where she edits, writes, and helps to ideate stories across movies, TV, books, and music, from interviews with talent to pop culture features and trend stories. She has a passion for uplifting rising stars, and a special interest in cult-classic movies, emerging arts scenes, and music. She has over eight years of experience covering pop culture and her byline has appeared in Billboard, Interview Magazine, NYLON, PEOPLE, Rolling Stone, Thrillist and other outlets.
-
ROSÉ Is Forging a New Path for K-Pop Idols Going Solo
With her debut album 'rosie,' the BLACKPINK artist has released the most vulnerable album from a K-pop star yet.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Bella Hadid Gives Winter Suede the Head-to-Toe Treatment
She's fully committed.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
13 Books for When You Want to Curl Up and Read About Murder
Calling all fans of "cozy mysteries."
By Liz Doupnik Published
-
ROSÉ Is Forging a New Path for K-Pop Idols Going Solo
With her debut album 'rosie,' the BLACKPINK artist has released the most vulnerable album from a K-pop star yet.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Alison Roman Shares What She Learned in Opening Her Grocery Store First Bloom
The cook and best-selling author speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published
-
TWICE Shares What Music Shaped Them—And What's on Their Playlist Now
With their new mini-album 'STRATEGY' out, the K-pop girl group opens up about their musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Meet Gracie Lawrence, Who Plays Kacey in ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ Season 3
The actress-slash-musician opens up about her new role in the Max comedy as the group's new suitemate.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
How Lena Waithe Is Taking Her Power Back From the Entertainment Industry
The producer, writer, and actor speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published
-
'RHONY' Star Brynn Whitfield Reveals What Can Feel "Powerless" About Being on Reality TV
The Bravo star and corporate communications and market director speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published
-
The 27 Best Biopics About Musicians of All Time
We're still stunned by these performances—many of which took home Oscars.
By Nicole Briese Published
-
Chani Nicholas Shares Why It’s Important Companies—Including Her Own—“Be Exceptionally Transparent With What We Pay”
The astrologer and co-founder of the CHANI App speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published