Kelsea Ballerini performed her duet “The Other Girl.” with Halsey on the CMT Awards Wednesday, Oct. 21st.
The ‘Coyote Ugly’ inspired performance divided the internet with some fans saying it’s not “real” country music and others taking issue with her leather-clad outfit.
Kelsea responded to critics with a thumbs-up selfie saying, “After reading way too many comments, I’d like to remind people that there are different kinds of country music and none are more ‘real’ than others when it comes from an honest place,” she wrote, “that women can wear whatever we want and shouldn’t be called names and criticized for it, and that if you don’t have something nice to say, politely shut up.”
Watch the performance:
(CMT)