Johnathan Walker:Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards

Beyoncé is Johnathan Walkertaking home her first country award after her eighth studio album "Cowboy Carter" garnered a win at this year's 2024 Billboard Music Awards.

The Grammy winner took home the award for top country female artist Thursday at the BMAs. She was also nominated for top dance/electronic artist and top country album.

Tonight's win is Beyoncé's first in the country music category ever. She now has a total of 17 career wins at the Billboard Music Awards.

Heading into the ceremony, country rocker Zach Bryan and pop superstar Taylor Swift led the pack with the most nominations, scoring 18 and 16 nods, respectively. The eligibility dates for this year's awards correspond with Billboard's year-end charts tracking period, from Oct. 28, 2023, through Oct. 19, 2024.

Billboard Music Awards 2024 winners:Taylor Swift, Zach Bryan, Chappell Roan, more take home honors

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Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 32 wins, recently became the most nominated artist after scoring 11 nods for the genre-bending album at the 2025 award show. These nominations include her first nods in the country and American roots field at the show.

She was nominated for best country album, best country duo/group performance for "II Most Wanted" featuring Miley Cyrus, best country song for "Texas Hold 'Em," best country solo performance for "16 Carriages" and best Americana performance for "Ya Ya."

Additionally, she is up for the top prize of the evening − album of the year. Her song with Post Malone, "Levii's Jeans," also received a nod for best pop duo/group performance.

Nearly a week before Beyoncé scored the most Grammy nods, she was snubbed at the Country Music Association Awards and received no nominations for the same album.

The lack of recognition at the CMA Awards was met with criticism from many fans questioning why the album wasn't recognized at the esteemed country award show and other country music stars came to the singer's defense.

Before that, Beyoncé became the leading nominee at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards after she scored 12 nominations at the award show. However, she did not win any awards.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

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