Megan Moroney, the rising country music star, is candidly discussing how her skyrocketing career is impacting her personal life, specifically her romantic relationships.
In a recent chat with Fox News, the "Am I Okay?" singer revealed her complete dedication to her music, stating: "I think I've never been more dialed in with my career than I am now. I really don't have time for a relationship, and I think it's reflected in my album. There's two love songs that are maybe kind of hopeful, and then it ends real quick, and that is an accurate representation of how my love life recently went."
Moroney's packed schedule isn't the only factor deterring her from pursuing a serious relationship. She also believes she's not emotionally ready for commitment: "I think because I'm not emotionally available, like, I am not ready to find someone that I want to marry right now, because that's just not in even the top ten things in my brain right now. So it's just like, let's not waste anyone's time. Let's just not date right now because there's that point."
The singer's career trajectory has taken off since her song "Tennessee Orange" went viral on TikTok in December 2022. The song's popularity, fuelled by speculation about its connection to fellow country star Morgan Wallen, further propelled Moroney into the limelight.
Despite the surprise success, Moroney remains grounded, recognising that virality is unpredictable: "You can't really predict when something will go viral like that. It's just hit or miss. There are probably millions of good songs that don't go viral, but they're still good songs."
Moroney's star has continued to rise since her debut album "Lucky" was released in May 2023. Currently touring with country legend Kenny Chesney, she calls this experience "the best summer ever" and acknowledges that she'll be "a mess when it's over."
Chesney's influence on Moroney goes beyond the tour; he has become a mentor and friend: "He's become a mentor for me and a close friend, and I just am so grateful for him. I watch him every night. And, you know, he doesn't have a huge production. He's just that good of a performer. And I think on top of being a crazy-good performer, his songs are just so good. Like, he plays for two hours and can't play all the hits. And I'm like, that is just such a goal of mine. And so I definitely look up to him in a lot of ways as an artist."
Moroney's admiration for Chesney stems from her childhood: "I grew up listening to him, so going on to become friends with him now is really cool."
Beyond her tour with Chesney, Moroney recently released her second studio album, "Am I Okay?". She describes this album as a more intense exploration of her experiences compared to her debut: "The album just feels like a continuation of âLuckyâ because they're only a year apart. But it's really just my real life experiences. I think on this album it's more intense. So, the happy songs are more happy, sad songs are more sad. There's a song about my friends. I've never done that before. There's a song about grief. I've never written about that. So, I think there's just something for everyone, and I think it's an opportunity for my fans to get to know me a little better."
Moroney's songwriting philosophy is rooted in authenticity: "I always try to write exactly how I'm feeling in the moment," she explains, adding that the album reflects the ups and downs of her life. Her musical journey was inspired by powerful women in country music, leading her to switch from a finance major to a degree in digital marketing and music business.
She cites Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, and Miranda Lambert as significant influences: "Growing up, I loved Taylor Swift. I still do. I've just listened to her since her debut album, so definitely Taylor. Kacey Musgraves is a songwriter that I really look up to. And her album, âSame Trailer, Different Park,â made me want to write my own songs. So her, and I always love Miranda Lambert's attitude."
As Moroney continues to climb the country music ladder, it's clear that her dedication to her craft is unwavering. While love might be on hold for now, her talent and passion for music promise a bright future for this rising star.
