Leann Rimes opens up a new can of worms for the Faith/Carrie feud.
After Faith Hill and her management reps tried their best attempt at damage control after Monday night's Carrie Underwood incident, Faith's friend Leann Rimes has opened back up a can of worms that may have closed quickly on its own. Directly after the CMA broadcast, blogs and message boards were abuzz with outrage and shock over the way Faith, normally a down to earth, friendly woman, handled losing to American Idol alumnus Carrie Underwood.…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Chris Evans
Clearly Pete is jealous. Pulling a Leann Rimes are we?
27 - Lee
I do believe Faith when she said that she was just joking. If anyone saw what I saw then you could tell that she was joking. The woman does not need another award. She is Faith Hill for goodness sakes. I am sure that none of you out there being so critical have never joked around right?
28 - Bruce Kratofil
I'll just ignore all three of them and listen to Alison K rauss
29 - Katie
TEAM CARRIE!!
someone start printing the t-shirts
30 - KD
I do believe that Faith was joking. I also feel that it was poor judgment on her part.
As for LeAnn, she should be ashamed of herself. She basically attacked some young girl who has done nothing to her. LeAnn comes off as bitter and jealous in that post. If I were Faith, I would let LeAnn know that as much as I appreciate her support, the next time she wants to speak for me, don't.
I hope Carrie whips them good at the People's Choice Awards, AMAs and Grammys.
31 - Millie Johnson
To be honest everytime I've seen the Faith Hill reaction (which is getting so overplayed) I thought she was kidding. She is smiling before and she is smiling after and the way she did it right in to the camera just gave me a clowining feel. I don't know her enough to say but to me it seems that this is a media driven storywhich is sad because it seems that we are at a time in this nation where we like to be told how to think and how to interpret things.
32 - Jennifer
Leann is a great singer but who does she think she is? Carrie Underwood desrved that award. It's about the music not paying any dues.I have lost any respect I had for Leann. As far as Faith goes, I think she is a goof ball and probably was kidding, I have seen her on many programs and she does have a pretty good sense of humor. If she was serious then too bad for her because if she thinks she is better than Carrie that is sad. They are all very talented but Carrie just put out better music this year.
33 - Jennifer
Leann is a great singer but who does she think she is? Carrie Underwood desrved that award. It's about the music not paying any dues.I have lost any respect I had for Leann. As far as Faith goes, I think she is a goof ball and probably was kidding, I have seen her on many programs and she does have a pretty good sense of humor. If she was serious then too bad for her because if she thinks she is better than Carrie that is sad. They are all very talented but Carrie just put out better music this year.
34 - JT
*sigh*
Female Vocalist Of The Year
Yes..thats spelt
Y
E
A
R
None of these women in my honest opinion, have had a year quite like Carrie's. She deserves every bit of success that she has been blessed with. Thank you
35 - gran29
Those who are saying Carrie didn't deserve the award need to look at the name of the award again. It's Female Vocalist of the YEAR!! No one can say that any of the others had as good a year as Carrie. She deserved it hands down.
36 - Frank Harris
What difference does it make if faith's reaction was real or joking?
37 - mike o
The Nashville POP celebrated by the CMA's just spews outta Music Row. The pretty little music favored by the Brass on Broadway is all over-produced, forgettable, confections. And it sure ain't country. Faith Hill, Leann Rimes, whatever -- they're more like Celine Dion or Barbra Streisand than Loretta or Patsy.
38 - Matt
I agree with 34 and 35. Post 16 says Carrie had a great year, but didn't earn Female Vocalist of the Year yet. How many years does it take to qualify for the award? Are the judges aware of this requirement? They must not have realized that Carrie was not allowed in the category.
39 - jen
BOTTOM LINE
FAITH HILL SHOULDVE ACTED MATURE
LEAVE CARRIE ALONE DAMN.
UR SO MEDIA DREEDY THAT U HAVE TO MAKE A FULL OUT OF URSELF SO U CAN STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT.I DONT THINK FAITH AND LEANNA ARE VERY PRETTY NOWADAYS.CARRIE CONGRATS
THERE HATERS
40 - Allbert
CARRIE HAS CLASS AND GRACE
FAITH AND LEANNA SURE NEED TO LEARN A FEW THINGS.
CARRIE HAS THE LOOKS,VOICE AND CLASS.I BELIEVE THEY LACK THAT
41 - Chris
I too, take offense to the comment about Carrie singing circles around LeAnn. LeAnn can sound great in any genre, unlike Carrie, who is ultimately limited to country/pop. I still like Carrie, but she can't touch LeAnn.
42 - Shane
Carrie DESERVES the award.
What you were witnessing was the Nashville knife being jammed into Faith's back, carefully crafted calculated marketing.
43 - Anthony
Well, my YouTube video got over 1,000,000 hits yesterday. Faith Hill made me a star. HA.
But anyways, I have a new video. And its in response to Mr. Evans' comments about Carrie being able to sing circles around LeAnn. Here you go Chris:
44 - Tiah
I feel that those who say Carrie shouldn't have won Female Vocalist of the Year might not truly understand the award in itself. True, she hasn't been on the scene as long as Faith, Sara or Martina (even Gretchen is still a fairly new artist), but the award does NOT factor what's been accomplished by these ladies throughout their careers, or the past 3 - 7 years. It's what these ladies have accomplished in the past YEAR that entitles them to be nominated for that award in particular. In the past year, Carrie has broken a Billboard record for having TWO #1 singles, and third single reaching #2 on the charts. Her album is nearing 4X Platinum status (if it hasn't already). Not to mention the fact that she's toured with likes of two of country's biggest male performers. Now, if these other ladies could have accomplished feats this large or larger, I'm sure they would have taken home the award instead of Carrie. They're all talented, but in this past YEAR Carrie surpassed them all and truly deserved the award.
As far as Faith goes, she may have said she was joking, but she doesn't seem sincere in the statement she released. Had she been sincere, she would have apologized to Carrie for poorly timed "joke" and for stealing the thunder surrounding her well deserved win. I believe she thought she had it in the bag and was shocked when she heard otherwise, which is a natural reaction. I'd respect Faith more if she either A) Apologized sincerely or B) Admitted that she is human and humans do have reactions such as that (if it was in fact a true reaction). Her PR person should explain to her that it's going to take one of the above two things for Faith to regain the respect of country music fans.
And Leann, well she's just throwing her name into a highly publicized issue ... not a smart move on her part. Not all PR is good PR ... despite what some may believe.
45 - kelly
I agree with the posters about Martina and Allison, two of the best female voices in country music. Allison Krauss has a range and a voice of an angel. I don't think there is another singer period that could match her vocals. Carrie, Faith, and Leann are all good and each deserve the honors that have been bestowed upon them. But if I had to pick a singing voice I would want it would be hands down Martina or Allison. Just my two cents.
46 - Jerry
First of all--Congrats to Carrie Underwood. I love both Carrie and Faith and have a hard time believing that Faith Hill did anything to purposefully undermine Carrie. They are both beautiful and classy ladies! As for LeAnne Rimes; she should have kept her mouth shut and minded her own business. I'm sure some people won't let this drop, but it really has been blown WAY out of wack. Again, congrats to Carrie! You're a bonefide star and are well deserving of the award.
47 - Faith's Number One Fan
Faith deserved the award ! Carrie is a flash in the pan ! Her songs are boring and ridiculious !
48 - RJY
I'm not a huge fan of Leanne Rimes but whoever said Leanne can't sing her songs live is totally wrong, especially her poppy ones. It was carrie who I thought had trouble making her song live sound just like how it sounds on her album. She was totally off-key, almost painful and just plain boring with no stage charisma. That is not how you sing a cheating song!! I don't think she's a bad singer but definitely nothing compared to Alison or Martina.
This is Carrie's first record with pop catchy, hooky songs from other people. I personally don't think Carrie can match up to Faith and I guess we'll see if Carrie can have longevity since last year's winner of female vocalist is nowhere on TV or radio. The first time I've seen Gretchen has been at this year's CMAs with no nominations.
49 - Pawl
When I first saw Faith's reaction when I watched the CMAs, I could tell she was joking since she already was being playful when they called her name as a nominee. I don't think she expected to win (she probably thought it was obvious that Martina would win), so she playfully held out her arms and said "Whaaaat?" (while thinking "Duh, it's Martina!") The fact that it was Carrie instead of Martina added to her surprise. As for LeAnn, she bravely said what I think a lot of others are thinking. But I still love Carrie and it was exciting to hear her heartfelt speech.
50 - Shilo
Jo Dee Messina should have won!
51 - Michael
Faith Hill and Leann Rimes are both jealous. Carrie Underwood is AWESOME. Just because she hasn't been in the industry long doesn't make Carrie any less deservant. No one else had the year that Carrie has had this year. If you disagree with me then who really cares what you think. Carrie is doing just fine with or without your support...cough*4 million albums and 3 number 1 singles*cough. WOO!!
52 - Mack
Chris Evans = no credibility.
You didn't see the Leann Rimes note. Prove that it exists.
I bet it was made up by some psychos.
53 - Chris Evans
Actually Entertainment Weekly (they have a tad of credibility, no?) is the first publication to find it.
I'll gladly provide you with the link, my dear.
To the left, to the left.
54 - Nicholas Stix
I saw the video. Faith Hill assumed she was going to win, and so the moment the winner was called out, rather than wait to hear the result, she theatrically put out her arms. After a pregnant pause, she angrily shouted, "No!"
The lady was most definitely not joking.
No matter how heavily favored you are for an award, good form dictates acting suprised, or at least not acting as if you owned the award.
I doubt this faux pas will go away, and indeed hope it doesn't. A diet of humble pie could do wonders for Faith Hill's swelled head.
55 - Sookie Sapperstein
Carrie does not have to pay dues to be the best female vocalist of the year. She's sold more albums than Leann and Faith this year, has been immensely successful this year, risen from an unknown according to LeAnn in a "VERY short period of time" etc. So why begrudge her this award? There's another one next year, Faith! How about working on being gracious and putting out music that people will love? You can't just put out something and say, "I'm Faith HIll -- OF COURSE you love me!" And it's just plain greedy and ugly for LeAnn and Faith to attack Carrie simply because she's successful. They're both turning green with envy and Faith is acting like a teenager instead of a woman who has "paid her dues." Sounds like Faith and LeAnn have more dues paying to do because that's where you learn grace and class. Carrie's got it, they don't. and neither one can say they've had a better year than Carrie.
56 - Anthony
What, no comment for me? :( lol
57 - Chris Evans
Anthony, your video shows that Leann can sing, yes. But I never denied that she could. In fact I said she had a beautiful voice. With that said, Carrie still trumps her 2 to 1.
58 - Anthony
Ha, I think you're crazy. But I can appreciate your opinion as I'm sure you appreciate mine.
59 - K
The person who wrote this article is wrong on one part, "How so i live" is LeAnn Rimes's song, not Trisha yearwood's...it was written for LeAnn by diane Warren, but Yearwood released it before LeAnn did.
60 - Country Gal
I don't think Carrie deserved to win that award. I agree with LeAnn. Carrie won the Horizon award and that was well deserved, she has a good voice, but how long has she been around, how many songs were hits?? I do think the award should have went to a veteran country star, not a new artist. Two songs just doesn't cut in my book! I am not saying Faith should have won, and her reaction was a shocker but she is human! I don't get this industry, what about the great singers like Martina, Toby Keith, Trick Pony, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw & Trace Adkins. Why can't the awards be more evenly distributed to these deserving performers!
61 - Michael
It s very disturbing that Faith Hill would react in such an undignified manner. To think that she believes she is more deserving of an award because she has been around longer is rediculous.
All three women have incredible voices but Underwood is more popular with the younger listeners. Noone should be offended (Faith). Faith has had (and still has) an amazing career. She has always been poised and respectful. It just goes to show all fans, she is only human. She must think she is more deserving of acclaim and recognition. However, fans will still follow Faith Hill.
62 - K
Correcting myself with the typo above..."how do i live"
But LeAnn Rimes should know what it feels like to win such a great award...she won the grammy after a year when she released her debut album, "blue", which she deserved...so maybe carrie deserves it too...But i would have to say that Faith hill has a better voice than carrie, but then again, Gretchen won it last year and she is not in the same league as them. LeAnn Rimes should've at least won this award....she is only 24 and has a voice that surpasses faith hill.
63 - K
this person who wrote this article needs to stop attacking LeAnn Rimes...I like carrie and even have her cd, but the writer said that carrie could sing circles around LeAnn. Sorry but LeAnn Rimes is in a class of her own, and so is faith hill. LeAnn Rimes has had more than 15 minutes of fame...more like her entire life...she started when she was 13 and since has sold more than 37 million albums at only 24!...more than carrie and kelly clarkson combined.
64 - Sandi
Tiah~~girl you got a head on your shoulders and thank you for qualifying what "Female Vocalist of the Year" means. You backed it up with stats and info.
Frankly, I, too thought that singers who are up for the Horizon Award should not be eligible for other awards, however, once I read the stats Carrie has proven herself This Year.
All of those women are tremendously talented. They have not gotten the exposure that Carrie has on Idol, but she worked hard for that title and for the album to do so well is quite astounding. Look how long it has taken Kellie Clarkston to achieve what she has.
Faith's songs lately do sound like they are being made up on the spot.
Thanks Tiah for bringing some clarity and sensibility to this forum!!!!
65 - Stam
People above said that LeAnn Rimes was thrust into stardom by star search is like saying a grain of sand compared to the beach...american idol is huge and she got lots of attention because of american idol. LeAnn Rimes is in a class of her own boasting almost over martina mcbride, considering her age (24). LeAnn Rimes has a world class voice and she doesn't get the attention that other people with no talent are getting.
66 - Colleta
I think that Carrie is very deserving, she is a great singer and proved it all year long. Had Faith or LeeAnn won the award after such a short time I am sure they wouldn't have said they didn't deserve it. And to say that you need to pay your dues first is just ridiculous. That is like saying you need to be a veteran serviceman to serve your country and get a purple heart award, again ridiculous. As far as I am concerned her dues where paid at the top of the charts.
67 - T
In my opinion, if you are up for the Horizon and win, then the other top awards are not for you. This just shows that someone missed out due to a lack of good sense in the voting process. Faith will always be great and Carrie will get there.
68 - LAN
I missed the reaction and had to go back thru TiVo to see it. I was not as surprised as most. I am not sure how Faith has achieved this "sweet" woman moniker. Here in Colorado we have been a witness to her "support" and "humanity" to the soldiers at Ft. Carson Army base when her husband, Tim McGraw came to do a concert for the troops that had returned from Iraq. This free concert should have been great publicity. Instead the people that assisted with the concert were treated poorly and rudely- like something disgusting McGraw and Hill had stepped in. In addition to that after the concert the line to meet and greet was snarled at and told to get back because neither could be bothered with meeting the people they had volunteered to perform in front of- so my opinion on both Hill and McGraw is they will NEVER see a penny of my money on an album or concert ticket.
Sour grapes. Carrie is an incredible singer and very approachable from all accounts. I would love to see Hill or Rimes compete in a venue such as American Idol and do better!
69 - JANE
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS IN DIVA WORLD....TWO VETERAN DIVAS JEALOUS OF THE NEWEST DIVA TO BE GETTING ALL THE ATTENTION. GIVE EM A PACIFIER!
70 - Tiah
Sandi - Thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it. Providing clarity to the awarding process and what each award entitles is important, in my own opinion, because I feel like people discredit the award given to Carrie for the mere reason that she's not been in the industry long enough. That, however, isn't a factor in deciding Female Vocalist of the YEAR and I thought people might have been overlooking that. Had any other one of the other four ladies put up the stats that Carrie did this year, they would have been entitled the win had it gone to them. For more on the awarding process.
On another... somewhat random... note... if anyone watched the CMA's Red Carpet Interview, Carrie didn't say that winning Female Vocalist of the Year was one she wanted to win (not that she wanted to lose it but it wasn't one she talked about in the interview). Her top two were Horizon and Single of the Year and her reasons for wanting both were very humble answers which makes her Female Vocalist of the Year win even more spectacular. Check out the video here:
And finally... I am a Faith fan. I do believe what she did was poorly timed and done so in an ill-manner, even if it was a joke. That doesn't mean, however, that she isn't a great artist. She will ALWAYS be one of the most phenomenal female country stars to exist and has made a tremendous impact on the industry. Same with LeAnn and Carrie. There shouldn't be an argument as to who out of the three is better and why over this issue. They all are among the elite in their category and each of their abilities and talents is different from the other. For that reason alone, comparing one to the other doesn't really validate an argument because they are all so unique.
Just my 2 cents (although it seems like a whole $1).
71 - jim
You could see on Faith Hill's face she was not jokeing around. We seem to live in a world of cover up now days....Jim
72 - you
saying that rimes or hill wouldn't easily sweep the competition at american idol is like saying Josh groban can't sing
73 - Sandra
I think this makes Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes look silly and totally disrespectful. Carrie is amazing, and deserves such an award because she has worked just as hard as they have and has made incredible music. Faith and LeAnn are both terrific but their actions are very disappointing. I'm glad Carrie is handling this maturely, as I would expect.
74 - Brandi
First of all, regardless of who did or should have won this award, the point is that all of the nominated artists SHOULD have been honored and proud to have been nominated in the first place. To be nominated at all means that they were an outstanding female vocalist that year. Secondly, the award is for female vocalist of the YEAR. Let me say that again, YEAR!!! Despite what "dues" have been paid or not paid, the award is granted for the year's musicianship and no one can deny that Carrie, and all of the nominees for that fact, had a terrific year. I think it's just too bad that some artists (i.e., Faith Hill) could not appreciate the fact that they were nominated at all, and instead chose to highlight their disappointment of the success of a fellow artist.
75 - Luiza
About LeAnn's comment:
What kind of "dues" exactly is she talking about, considering she won ther first Grammy award when she was 13 years-old??? Does she really think that SHE paid dues herself? Oh, please....
And about Carrie coming from a singing competition. It is not exactly a "piece of cake" to win the Americal Idol competition considering the number of contestants and specially how good the top 24 are. They sing an increadible variety of music styles and are judged week, after week, after week. I honestly don't think that LeAnn would make it into the top 12 if she tried it.