Carly Pearce has weighed in on the backlash she received after telling a heckler to “get the hell off my show” during a concert last month.
While performing at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the 34-year-old singer called out a rude fan in the audience and kicked the man out of the venue.
Pearce, who recently hosted the 17th annual Academy of Country Music Awards alongside singer-songwriter Jordan Davis, told Fox News Digital that some people had questioned the language she used while berating the heckler and revealed that her own mother, Jackie Slusser, was among those critics.
“Of course, people were like, 'You could have used a different word,' or 'You could have been a little more reserved. ' And my mom agreed,” the “I Hope You're Happy Now” singer said in a joint interview with Davis.
Carly Pearce has revealed that her mother, Jackie Slusser, reprimanded her for her language when she called a fan rude at her concert. (Carly Pearce on Facebook)
Pearce continued: “She said to me, 'You didn't have to say that word.' And I said, 'I understand.'”
Country singer Carly Pearce lashes out during concert: 'Get out of my show'
“But at the end of the day, we're artists and we put our hearts and souls into it every night,” he continued. “And there's been a lot of different things that I haven't talked about.”
“I think as a woman working in country music, I've talked to some of my other friends in the industry and they're like, 'Guys do it and it's okay,' but if I do it, they're like, 'She's being disrespectful.'”
“She said, 'You didn't have to say that word.' And I said, 'I understand.'”
“But in the end, I want people to stand up for themselves,” Pearce explained. “And you don't have to bully people, whether it's on social media or at a show. We're human beings too. And that's not okay. I think people should be kinder.”
“And that guy didn't need to… go get a beer if you don't want to hear me sing. I just don't care. I don't want you here anyway.”
WATCH: Carly Pearce says her mother told her off for insulting a man who was disrupting a concert
The heated altercation was captured by a video shared to X, in which the man is seen being escorted out of the Soo Pass Ranch, where the festival was being held.
“Get off my show,” Pearce yelled from the stage, pointing directly at someone. “If you're going to be a dick, you're going to have to tell me and get off my show.”
“I don't have time for nonsense,” he said, drawing roars from the crowd. “See you later!”
At the time, a representative for Pearce did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on what led to the incident. However, several users on social media claimed that Pearce had been speaking directly to the crowd about his life when a man shouted, “Nobody cares.”
Pearce had the troublemaker ejected from his concert. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)
Additional video In the image, taken moments after the man was ejected, Pearce is seen apologising to his father, Todd Slusser, who had attended the show. “My dad is here and I think he's going to have a heart attack,” he said.
“I'm sorry, Dad, but if you're an idiot, you have to go.”
While on stage, Pearce said: “It's the first time I've ever kicked someone out of one of my shows, but if someone is going to be that mean and disrespectful to me, you're not welcome.”
The singer joked that fans saw a different side of her that night. (Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Spotify)
Pearce told Fox News Digital that he has not had to kick another fan off his shows since the incident.
For his part, Davis said he “absolutely loved” Pearce's wake-up call. “I loved every second of it,” he added. “And I don't think I've had to worry about boos from now on.”
“I think they saw a different side,” Pearce agreed. “It was always there, that Kentucky side. Don't mess with me.”
WATCH: CMA Honors co-hosts Carly Pearce and Jordan Davis shared highlights from the awards show
The altercation occurred while Pearce was on tour with fellow country musician. Tim McGraw during his Standing Room Only Tour '24. On August 16, McGraw announced that he had canceled the remaining dates of the 2024 tour, as he had to undergo orthopedic surgery on both knees after suffering an injury on tour.
In May, Pearce revealed that she had to make changes to her performances on the Standing Room Only Tour '24 due to a health issue.
CARLY PEARCE ON HOW TIM MCGRAW IS STILL THE SAME SINCE THE 90S
In a clip posted to her Instagram page in May, the singer revealed that she had been diagnosed with pericarditis, a heart condition.
“I've been working with doctors and talking to my cardiologist and I still want to be on tour – it's very important to me – but we've all decided that the best thing for me, while I'm recovering, is to alter my shows a little bit,” he said in his video.
The incident occurred when Pearce was on tour with Tim McGraw. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“So if my shows look a little different, just know that it's because I have to keep my heart rate in check right now and that doesn't mean I'm not going to be completely fine, it just means that right now I have to take this really seriously,” Pearce added.
During his interview with Fox News Digital, Pearce shared an update on his condition.
“Not working out is tough. I'm doing well,” she said. “It's something I'm still dealing with and it's definitely going in the right direction, which is good. And I feel close to normal.”
Pearce continued: “But I think it's something I have to manage. And I hope that my story has at least made people, if they have that little feeling that maybe their gut is telling them something is wrong, to go get checked out, because you can be healthy and think you're doing all the right things and know that things can happen.”
Pearce and Jordan Davis hosted the 17th Annual Country Music Association Awards. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)
The musician recently returned to host the ACM Honors for the fourth consecutive year alongside Davis, who had performed at the show for the past two years. Pearce and Davis told Fox News Digital that hosting the show together was special for them, as they had been friends since their early days when they were both struggling artists.
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“We've known each other for years, when he was a bartender and I was an Airbnb cleaner,” Pearce said. “So over the last six years, we've been able to see that our careers have a lot of similarities, but then joining forces on something together is a lot of fun.”
Both agreed that paying tribute to country music singer-songwriter Alan Jackson, who received the ACM Poet's Award alongside Walt Aldridge, was another highlight.
“It's definitely an honor to pay tribute to Alan Jackson, someone who has been a huge influence on us and so many other artists in the country,” Davis said. “Man, he's a legend. So to be able to close out the night by thanking him was something special.”
WATCH: Carly Pearce shares an update on her health after being diagnosed with a heart condition
Pearce also praised country star Chris Stapleton, who was honored as ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
“I'll talk about Chris Stapleton all day long,” he said. “He's a unique singer. He's a unique artist, a true artist. He doesn't hesitate in the type of music he writes or the type of music he performs, what he believes in and how he puts on a show.”
“For me, I look up to him a lot,” he continued. “His artistic integrity is a huge inspiration to me.”
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“I don't think he even thinks about that,” she added. “I think he's definitely himself, and he doesn't have to hide his true personality, because he doesn't care what people think of him. He's going to do it his way. And I think there's a great confidence and a great strength in being able to do that. And I mean, it doesn't hurt that you're one of the greatest singers of all time.”
The awards ceremony, which was taped on August 21, will air on September 24 on Dr. Phil's Merit Street Network. (Dr. Phil's Street of Merit)
At the ceremony, which was held on August 21 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and will air on September 24, Luke Bryan was awarded the Lifting Lives Award. The award recognizes an artist, duo/group or professional in the country music industry who is “dedicated to improving lives through the power of music, possesses a generous spirit and is committed to serving others.”
Davis previously collaborated with Bryan on the 2021 hit song “Buy Dirt,” which won song of the year at the 56th Country Music Association Awards. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Davis reflected on his friendship with Bryan and how the “Country Girl” star had helped him over the years.
“Oh my gosh. From the moment I met Luke, and this was even before we teamed up on 'Bad Dirt,' he was always there for me,” she said. “The day I met him, I got his number and he was like, 'If I can help in any way, give me a call.' And he really meant it.”
She continued: “And obviously, him being a part of 'Buy Dirt' changed my life. And it was special that night to be able to see… I think a lot of people look to Luke, and he's the funny guy in country music, obviously an amazing artist. He's one of the best artists in country music.”
“But I think it gets overlooked how much help he gives to charity, and it was really cool to have him honored that night and all the amazing things he's done through Farm Tour for his organizations. He's always there to help out with any charity. So, it was a special night to be able to highlight something about Luke for that.”
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The 17th Academy of Country Music Awards will air on September 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. PT on Merit Street.
Fox News Digital's Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.
