Why Maren Morris Didn't Attend the 2024 CMT Awards Despite Her Nomination

The "My Church" singer confirmed her absence in an Instagram Stories video on Sunday

Maren Morris decided to pass up the 2024 CMT Music Awards despite receiving a nomination.

On Sunday, Morris, 33, confirmed she wouldn't be attending the annual country music awards show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, when she revealed on her Instagram Stories that she would be in New York City.

“Book tour week officially commences. Karina [Argow] and I are flying to New York tonight, so we’ll see you Wednesday at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square," the singer-songwriter said in a video, following the release of her new children's book, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure.

Morris was nominated at the 2024 CMT Music Awards for CMT performance of the year alongside Hozier for their duet of his hit single "Take Me to Church," which took place during a September episode of CMT Crossroads.

Related: Maren Morris Says She’s Leaving Country Music: ‘Chosen to Step Outside’ of ‘Drama Within the Community’

Her absence from the awards show comes after the star announced she would be stepping back from the country music industry in September 2023. She marked the change with the release of her two-track EP The Bridge, featuring the songs "The Tree" and “Get the Hell Out of Here.”

At the time, Morris said she felt “very, very distanced” from the industry and its politics and expressed frustration at trying to challenge the status quo within it.

“I thought I’d like to burn it to the ground and start over,” she said. “But it’s burning itself down without my help.”

Check out all of PEOPLE's full CMT Awards coverage there.

In November 2023, during an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Morris clarified her comments and explained she isn't exiting the genre entirely — she just hopes to “leave behind” the “toxic parts” of the industry. 

“I would just clarify I’ve not left country music — that was the headline,” Morris said after a fan asked what her music might sound like going forward, if she’s no longer making country songs.

Related: Kelsea Ballerini on Hosting the 2024 CMT Awards Solo: 'It's Definitely New Grounds for Me' (Exclusive)

“Actually, what I said was I’m leaving behind the sort of toxic parts of it,” she continued. “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,” she said, adding that the country genre will always fuel her sound. “I’m from Texas, I grew up on all that music, so the way I write, the way I sing, that’s what comes out — whatever genre I’m doing or feature I’m doing."

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

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