Whoopi Goldberg Defends Beyoncé Amid Fox News Criticism Over Country Grammy Win

Whoopi Goldberg is standing firmly in support of Beyoncé after a Fox News pundit criticized the singer’s historic win for Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Conservative author Raymond Arroyo appeared on The Ingraham Angle, hosted by Laura Ingraham, on Monday night, where he denounced Beyoncé’s Grammy wins as a “ridiculous outcome.” The Texas Hold ‘Em singer took home the awards for Best Country Album and Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, as well as Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus.

Arroyo’s Criticism and Goldberg’s Response

Arroyo argued that the country music community was unhappy with the decision, stating, “Dolly Parton has 10 Grammys. Frank Sinatra had 11 Grammys. Beyoncé has 35. How is that possibly commensurate with that talent? I mean, come on.” He further claimed that Grammy voting was arbitrary, stating, “Basically, Lady Gaga’s cat sitter voted for best reggae and best country album, so that’s why you get this ridiculous outcome that has nothing to do with the country audience or the country musicians.”

On Tuesday morning’s episode of The View, Goldberg took a strong stance against Arroyo’s remarks, addressing his misconceptions about the Grammy voting process.

“Sir, are you aware that you have to be in the music industry to be a Grammy voter? So, the cat sitter can’t just vote,” the EGOT winner retorted.

Goldberg also pointed out the evolving nature of the Grammys, highlighting that when the awards began in 1959, there were only 28 categories compared to today’s 94. She referenced Frank Sinatra’s 1960 Grammy experience, stating, “The year that Frank Sinatra got six nominations despite having two No. 1 albums, he only won one Grammy that night—for his album cover, not even for his singing.”

The Bigger Picture: Country Music and Inclusion

Addressing the broader controversy, Goldberg took Arroyo to task over the notion that country music is an exclusionary genre. “You want to hold on to country music like white people didn’t also buy her country album. Come on, man! People voted for it. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. Same with the Oscars. Sit down! … Music does not have the issues you have. Music is about the people.”

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, released in March 2024, was not just a personal milestone but also a cultural moment, highlighting Black artists in country music and igniting discussions about reclaiming historically Black-originated genres. Despite the album’s widespread success, including spending four weeks at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, Beyoncé was snubbed by the CMA Awards last year, further underscoring ongoing debates about inclusivity in country music.

The Impact of Cowboy Carter

Beyond the Grammy recognition, Cowboy Carter has sparked critical conversations about the barriers Black artists face in country music. Beyoncé has openly shared her struggles with acceptance in the genre, stating that she did not feel “welcomed” when she initially tried to break into the country scene.

Goldberg’s strong words serve as a reminder that music is meant to be universal, crossing racial and cultural boundaries. As Beyoncé’s influence continues to shape the industry, her Grammy wins signal a shift towards a more inclusive and representative music landscape.