Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce are riding high after winning the Grammy for Best Country/Duo Group Performance this past Sunday.
The duo took home the award for their powerful hit “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” from Pearce’s album 29: Written in Stone. The song, which tells a story from two women’s perspectives dealing with heartbreak and infidelity in the same relationship, has become a meaningful moment for both artists and their friendship.
Ashley opened up about the emotional weight behind recording the song, sharing with PEOPLE’s Janine Rubenstein and Jeremy Parsons that it felt “a little close to home” for both of them. But Carly encouraged her to go for it anyway.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Carly for a long time,” Ashley said. “We were honest with each other, and that made it work.”
Carly, who has been through her own relationship ups and downs, told the reporters that both she and Ashley truly connected with the story behind the song. “She’s my country sister,” Carly said. “We’ve found a real, genuine love for each other.”
The pair bonded deeply over the real-life experiences that inspired the song, making their collaboration even more authentic. Carly also joked about how surprising it was that they teamed up — an “odd pairing” that ended up creating something unforgettable.
Fans have been loving the song’s honest approach, with Ashley mentioning one unexpected reaction: “People thanked us for not calling each other bad names,” which she found pretty cool.
In addition to the duet win, Ashley is also nominated for Best Country Album with Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.
The 2023 Grammy Awards aired live on CBS and Paramount+ from Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena, celebrating the best in music with moments like this that truly touched hearts.
