Maren Morris is not your average country star.
Her breakout album, “HERO,” peaked at No.
5 on the Billboard 200 chart.
“I’m not brave… making the right decision shouldn’t take bravery or courage.
These days, Morris has plenty to be grateful for.
Still, the country singer’s life hasn’t always been as charmed as you might think.
From heartbreaking loss to postpartum depression, tragedy has come knocking for Morris on several occasions.
In an interview withBustle, the Texas-born singer recalled learning to play guitar at age 12.
By 18, Morris was uncertain about her path in life.
After one college semester, Morris realized she wasn’t interested in collegiate life.
“Shortly after that, I decided to save money to move to Nashville,” she recalled.
After landing in Music City, Morris assumed the role of the starving artist.
5 on the country music charts.
In 2022, the superstar wrote “Circles Around This Town” to memorialize her early days in Nashville.
It was the start of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
The gunman killed 58 people and injured hundreds more.
As the nation mourned, the country music community struggled to come to terms with the senseless attack.
Maren Morris joined in the outpouring of grief.
Reflecting on the impact of violence and hatred in our society, Morris wrapped her sorrows into a song.
Here is ‘Dear Hate.’
Any cent I see from this I’m donating to the Music City Cares Fund.”
“It was time for the world to hear it.”
Although Hayes arrived in good health, his birth was more complicated than expected.
After 30 hours of labor, the baby was delivered via emergency C-section.
Morris toldLittle Spoonthat she regretted being unprepared for what comes with recovering from a C-section.
“The postpartum of a C-section is so brutal,” she said.
Soon, the first-time parent found herself grappling with heavy emotions.
Eventually, the “My Church” singer realized she was suffering from postpartum depression.
ForMaren Morris, postpartum depressionwas like “drowning” in the depths of extreme pressure and self-criticism.
With the help of therapy and frequent check-ins from friends, she started the process of healing.
Morris' postpartum journey became a source of inspiration for her hit 2022 album, “Humble Quest.”
The musician toldStarNews Online, “Writing the record after I had [Hayes] speaks for itself.
It’s my most vulnerable album.”
Morris is determined to break the mold for female country singers.
Unfortunately, her nonconformism is unpopular with some country music fans.
Morris is also outspoken about hot-button political issues, such as gun control.
“Locking into becoming an established country artist with each passing year has been daunting.
It’s where I’m comfortable; it’s what I grew up in.
The songstress was also holding a beer a detail which some pearl-clutching followers quickly judged.
In 2020,Taste of Countrynoted that Morris scrubbed all photos of Hayes from her Instagram account.
Since the pool float debacle, Hayes has maintained a small presence on his mom’s social media accounts.
However, she now uses emojis or clever angles to obscure his face, thus protecting his privacy.
Despite these origins, the genre has become a hot spot for the culture war between political parties.
Still, Morris isn’t afraid of going toe-to-toe with conservative country music figures.
However, it was Morris who had the last laugh.
In 2019, the musician did an interview and photoshoot with Playboy.
Morris addressed the critics in a series of now-expired Instagram stories.
The superstar fired back.
“The Botox has long worn off” (viaToday).
Back in 2017, Morristweeted, “Honestly, I’m over the slut-shaming that goes on here.
I’m a self-sufficient woman who loves her body.
Get over it, thanks.”
Sadly, not much has changed since then, as her body is still routinely scrutinized online.
The pair, who wed in 2018, are more than a married couple they’re collaborators, too.
But despite their rock-solid foundation, the pair have struggled to balance their careers and marriage.
In 2017, the recording artist scored a Grammy for Best Solo Country Performance.
“It was probably the hardest part of our relationship,” she toldEsquirein 2019.
“We went on our honeymoon, and then I immediately went on this gigantic tour.”
Fortunately, therapy helped the couple get back on track.
“It was a tough summer,” Morris recalled.
The pair co-wrote Morris' breakout hits, “My Church” and “80s Mercedes.”
Tragically, Busbee died from brain cancer at age 43 in 2019.
And also musically, who am I without him in this world?'”
Morris wrote the ballad for Busbee just a few weeks before his death.
I wanted to end this record with this dedication to him," she toldiHeart Country.
In 2022, Morris released “Good Friends,” a tune dedicated to her closest pals.
Morris' lyrics also reference past heartaches.
The musician toldTaste of Countrythat she penned the song “Once” to help herself process the breakup.
“I was with one person for five years and that was my first love.
As that was falling apart, my career starting taking off,” Morris stated.
