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Dasha Talks Turning Online Hate Into Fuel For Authenticity And Empowerment

Dasha is getting candid about her commitment to being a positive role model for her younger listeners, sharing that the constant stream of online hate has only fueled her determination to stay true to her authentic self.

“You’re trashy.” “You have no class.” “You suck at singing.” These are the kind of messages that have consumed Dasha’s life since launching into the spotlight in the next generation of rising country stars. While on stage, it seems that her confidence is at an all-time high, the singer/songwriter appeared on Rolling Stone’s podcast to admit that behind closed doors it’s hard not to let the countless opinions get to her.

“I feel so grateful to be in the position I am, and it’s really hard on you and it takes a lot out of you, and I just needed it to be being a role model for especially young girls and showing like, ‘Hey, you don’t have to be perfect. It’s actually really beautiful not to have it all together,’” she revealed.

Dasha; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Dasha; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Finding Light In The Negativity

Instead of letting the hurtful words get to her, she’s found clever ways to clap back at online trolls.

“People call me Trailer Swift online and guess what I’m doing, making merch out of it because f**k you guys,” she added.

“‘You’re trashy’ and ‘you have no class’ and ‘you’re slutty’ and ‘you’re a whore’ and ‘your outfits suck’ and ‘you’re ugly’ and ‘you try so hard’ and ‘you suck at singing’ and ‘you suck live.’ ‘You should go to hell.’ ‘Cellulite.’ ‘Oh my God, those shorts. Your ass is sticking out.’ It cuts deep. The trolls can be trolling,” she said, listing off even more of the commendatory she receives on a regular basis.

This perspective is especially relatable in an era where everyone is exposed to instant judgment online with the use of social media. Dasha acknowledges that whether it’s praise or hate, no one is meant to absorb that many opinions about herself at once.

“I don’t think we’re meant to as a species or I don’t think we’re meant to hear that many opinions about ourselves, good or bad. I’m not supposed to hear like, ‘oh, you’re so pretty’ a thousand times a day either, and I’m also not supposed to hear ‘You’re a whore,’” she added.

Lessons That Came From Her Rapid Rise To Fame

Dasha’s career “went from zero to 100” after her breakout hit, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” went viral in 2024. In the whirlwind that followed, she learned to trust her gust, realizing there was no time to stop and hesitate. With a supportive team behind her, a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders, allowing her to focus on connecting with fans by showing up authentically online and fully owning who she is.

“I think I’m learning to for sure. I think at first I was really afraid to show my personality, and now those are the videos that do the best for me, funny enough, are the ones that I’m just fu**ing around,” she acknowledged. “I think the more you treat social media like you’re on FaceTime with someone or you’re texting someone a video or whatever it is, the better it is. I think there’s been so much pressure in the past, especially on Instagram, to be so perfect and have it all lined up and aesthetic and the perfect casual caption that no one really cares, but it’s really curated.”

The California native continues to share snippets of her life with currently includes glimpses into her new EP, Anna, dropping in October and her time on the road for the Welcome to Dashaville Canadian Headline Tour.

New EP Dropping Soon

Of the upcoming project, Dasha explained that this collection of songs will serve as part one of a two-part self-titled album.

“’Anna’ is the first part. ‘Dasha’ will be the second part coming out next year,” she told the outlet. “And ‘Anna’ is all about who I am at the core and kind of the part that got skipped over because ‘Austin’ got so big so fast, and I became known worldwide as ‘The Boots Girl,’ which was so cool, but people started filling in blanks, and I feel like I didn’t have the chance to fully tell my story of who I am and why I am the way I am and where I come from and all the things that make me me, and all the little quirks of my personality.”

Fans can expect these songs to showcase new sides to Dasha’s personality, from her playfulness to her wholesomeness as well as the more vulnerable emotions that come with growing up.

“It just kind of tells the whole story of who I am at the core,” she emphasized.

This Friday, Sept. 19, she will unveil “Train” the next track to share a look into the Anna EP. 

A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found on Dasha’s official website.

The post Dasha Talks Turning Online Hate Into Fuel For Authenticity And Empowerment appeared first on Country Now.

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Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Wife Cassie Welcome Second Son

Lady A’s Charles Kelley, 43, and his wife Cassie, 42, are on cloud nine after welcoming their second son.

The couple announced that baby Archer Lancaster Kelley was born on September 16, 2025, at 11:14 a.m., weighing 6 lbs., 11 oz., according to People.

“Our little miracle Archer Lancaster Kelley arrived at 11:14 am on Sept. 16 and we are absolutely in love,” Kelley told People in an exclusive statement. “We are so thankful to get to be his mom and dad, and to share the joy with his big brother, Ward, who is over the moon!”

In March, the couple shocked fans by announcing Cassie’s pregnancy, revealing that it was unexpected.

“Biggest surprise of our lives! Baby Kelley coming early fall 2025,” the caption read. “Big brother is the MOST excited.”

In a series of baby announcement photos captured by Mary Craven Photography, the happy couple was seen showing off Cassie’s growing baby bump alongside their 9-year-old son, Ward.

Cassie McConnell, Charles Kelley; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
Cassie McConnell, Charles Kelley; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM

This marks the ninth child among the Lady A family. Hillary Scott, a mother of four girls after welcoming daughter Selah Jean in July, and Dave Haywood, a father of three, are celebrating alongside Charles Kelley and his wife Cassie, who just welcomed baby Archer. Scott says she couldn’t be more thrilled about the news.

“And then there were NINE Lady A kiddos! Thank you Lord for another healthy baby and mama,” she shared on Instagram. “So happy for Cassie Kelley and Charles Kelley and big brother Ward. Welcome to the fam, Archer! We love you!” 

Charles Kelley and his wife Cassie met through Lady A’s Hillary Scott. They got engaged in December 2008 and wed on July 6, 2009.  

In 2015, the couple shared that they were expecting their first child and opened up about struggling with fertility for two years.

“When you’re young and healthy and you’re ready to start a family you just don’t envision there will be any problems doing that,” Cassie told ABC News. She added that their doctor had given them just a one percent chance of conceiving naturally without IVF.

Against all odds, Cassie and Charles “never stopped hoping.” And just as they were about to begin the IVF process, they conceived naturally.

She gave birth to Ward Charles on February 11, 2016.

The post Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Wife Cassie Welcome Second Son appeared first on Country Now.

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Jake Owen Marks Four Years of Sobriety

Jake Owen is celebrating a huge milestone in his sobriety journey, marking four years without alcohol.

The country star took to social media to reflect on his journey, sharing a heartfelt post that reads like poetry, or even song lyrics. His post reflects on the choice he made four years ago and his hope to inspire others on their own path to sobriety.

Jake Owen; Photo Provided
Jake Owen; Photo Provided

4 Years Today

I woke up this morning on west coast time

Compared to most of my friends and fam

I’m 3 hours behind

Until I saw a text, from a very thoughtful friend

Reminded me of something, and brought a real big grin

4 years ago today, I knew that it was time

To be a better man, and live a sober life

Be a better father, be a better friend

And by the grace of God, I felt like I got to start all over again

I’ve stuck to the plan, but I’m still working me

I know who I’ve been, and who I wanna be

Thank y’all for the kindness, and the high fives along the way

I hope I can be an inspiration for someone who wants to start today

In closing, Owen wrote, “Love y’all. Here’s to 4 years of the best decision I ever made in my life. For a guy that can be pretty hard on himself, I gotta say I’m proud of me.” 

Owen first opened up about his sobriety journey in 2022, at which point he was 316 days sober.  He shared that his decision to quit drinking came after a night of “drinking too much alcohol” and embarrassing himself.

“The next day I told myself, ‘never again.’ I am better than that, and the people I love the most deserve better. My family, my little girls, and my friends,” he explained.

Since then, Owen has been candid with fans about his journey, using his experience to inspire and encourage others along the way.

Jake Owen; Photo by Spidey Smith
Jake Owen; Photo by Spidey Smith

As he celebrates this milestone, Owen is also celebrating an exciting new chapter of his career with the upcoming release of his new album, Dreams to Dream. The project drops on November 7 and finds Owen getting back to his roots and love for traditional country music and storytelling. 

“Sometimes you need to get outside what’s comfortable, what people think you are, or think you should be, and take a risk,” he recently shared. 

The project was co-produced by Owen with Shooter Jennings and features collaborations with Jamey Johnson on “The Jukebox Knows” and Savannah Conley on “Them Old Love Songs.” 

Jake Owen - Dreams to Dream
Jake Owen – Dreams to Dream

“It really feels cathartic to be honest about a lot of stuff in my life — how I feel, where I see myself going, and how I see myself going there,” he said. “Where I feel most comfortable is grabbing my guitar and singing a song that fits my voice really smoothly. I feel like it’s more honest.”    

Owen later added, “I’ve just become a guy that wants to sing songs for people that have also matured with me in my life.”

Fans can get a taste of what’s to come on the album with the just-released “Long Time Lovin’ You” below. 

The post Jake Owen Marks Four Years of Sobriety appeared first on Country Now.

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Hip Hop

Cardi B’s Due Date…Might Be Sooner Than Advertised

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Hip Hop

Iggy Azalea Slams Akademiks Over Playboi Carti: “I’m Not Campaigning For Anyone’s Demise”

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Hip Hop

EXCLUSIVE: Adin Ross Lawyers Up Over Megan Thee Stallion Mariachi Band Stunt

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“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Axed “Indefinitely” Over Charlie Kirk Comments

During Jimmy Kimmel’s Monday evening (September 15) monologue, he suggested suspected shooter Tyler Robinson might have been a pro-Trump Republican.

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Hip Hop

Cardi B Gets Job At Door Dash Now That She Has Fourth Baby On The Way

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Hip Hop

Video Of Bhad Bhabie On Car Hood During Battle With LeVaughn Surfaces As Relationship Implodes

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Max B Declares Prison Release Date After Sentence Reduction & Nearly 16 Years Behind Bars

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