Jennifer Nettles Joins #BlogHer20 Parenting

Get pumped music lovers! All-star mama and award-winning performer Jennifer Nettles is logging on to join us for our first-ever parenting conference on April 24th. 

It’s been a banner year for the Sugarland star, from her role on HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones”, to her stunning, provocative performance in “Harriet,” the Harriet Tubman story. But outside of her acting accolades, she is a mom, a businesswoman, an activist, a philanthropist, and an epic singer and songwriter with an expansive discography. Jennifer has led a lengthy, successful career – all while staying true to herself and inspiring others. 

Recently, Jennifer made plenty of headlines for her show-stopping femme-power cape at the Country Music Association Awards (CMAS) – where she said what every female country star has been thinking: “Play Our F*cking Records – Please & Thank You.”  Jennifer chose to don the cape, designed by Christian Siriano featuring original art by Alice Mizrachi, in order to draw attention to the outrageous inequity of air-time female country musicians receive from radio stations calling for #EqualPlay. Her red-carpet pictures went viral, and made waves in the Country Music community and beyond. 

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When I found out that the CMA’s were celebrating women artists this year, I saw a wonderful opportunity to invite and inspire conversation about country music’s need to play more women artists on radio and playlistings. (Some of you big country fans may have heard of this problem over the past few years. 16% of the top 500 songs over the last 4 years (2014-2018) were women. 16% of the top 500!!!!! 16%!!!!) This is unacceptable.) What better and more womanly way to invite such conversation than with fashion that sends a message?! I knew I had to collaborate with artists who were strong supporters of equality across all platforms. @csiriano is an advocate and activist for equality across all lines and his work is always inclusive. He is an absolute ally. @am_nyc is an amazing NY Artist whose work celebrates women and who knows first hand the challenges of equality within the art space. The piece that they created for me is a beautiful celebration of women in country music as well as a call to action within the industry at large. I am honored to get to be here at the @cma celebrating other women in country music. We need the celebration and support of women to move into country radio and country play listing. We want our songs to be played and our stories to be heard.The more our songs are played, the more women get to hear their own stories, challenges and triumphs reflected. GlamFam: H&M @ashleydonovan Styling @hayley_atkin_ Jewels @davidyurman Special thanks @lauracitron for guiding my train

A post shared by Jennifer Nettles (@jennifernettles) on Nov 13, 2019 at 7:38pm PST

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Catch me on @hodaandjenna today between 10-11 on @nbc !!! We are so happy it’s International Women’s Day!!! Let’s talk Ladies!!! 📸: @photonate

A post shared by Jennifer Nettles (@jennifernettles) on Mar 6, 2020 at 6:49am PST

But anyone who’s followed Jennifer’s career knows that the cape was far from Jennifer’s first stance against injustice – the star is a true activist. In 2008, she founded Common Thread, a musical event series that enables artists to perform shows benefitting their favorite charities. She has stood up for inequality and inclusion with her Sugarland Initiative, and received an ally for equality award from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). She has lent her time and talent to countless non-profit organizations and continues to use her voice and position to advocate for those unable to do so themselves. 

Jennifer recently released an incredibly moving video with a message we could all use in these tumultuous times, one of hope, reason, and encouragement: that the sun will come out tomorrow. Watch it right here — and keep your eyes peeled for a cameo of Jennifer and her adorable son.

We are so excited to welcome Jennifer to the virtual #BlogHer20 Parenting stage. Be sure to register for your free ticket right here, and to join us on April 24th! We have a show-stopping lineup of speakers and a schedule that will make you plotz!

In the meantime, follow us on everything – Twitter, Instagram, Facebook – to make sure you don’t miss a #BlogHer thing. 

ABOUT JENNIFER NETTLES

Jennifer Nettles is a superstar entertainer on multiple platforms. She most recently portrayed lovable Aimee-Leigh Gemstone on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones, and delivered a provocative performance in the Harriet Tubman biopic, Harriet. Jennifer is a multi-GRAMMY Award winning singer. She makes up one-half of the MULTI-PLATINUM duo Sugarland. The duo is preparing fresh music and a tour this year. Jennifer made her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in Chicago and starred as Donna in the Hollywood Bowl’s Mamma Mia!. For television, she portrayed Dolly Parton’s mom Avie Lee Parton in Coat of Many Colors, and again in the sequel, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. She was recently honored with the Human Rights Commission Ally for Equality Award & Lincoln Center’s Artist Impact Award.