Lily Allen has seemingly criticized Beyoncé’s new country album Cowboy Carter, calling it ‘calculated’ and has questioned why she chose to cover Dolly Parton‘s Jolene.
The London native, 38, made the remarks on her BBC Sounds podcast Miss Me? Thursday with co-host Miquita Oliver, 39, as they discussed the 42-year-old superstar’s foray into a new genre.
The Air Balloon vocalist said that she felt Beyoncé’s transition into country music struck her as ‘calculated,’ stemming back to her husband Jay-Z’s speech at the Grammys criticizing organizers for never awarding her with the honors for Best Album.
‘I think it’s been quite calculated,’ the Fear vocalist said. ‘I feel like when Jay-Z got up at the Grammys, that was part of this campaign.
‘It was before the album had come out or even been announced and she was wearing the blonde wig and a cowboy hat.’
The Grammy-nominated artist said that the actions were taken in an ultimately successful effort to ‘challenge the institution,’ noting that Beyoncé ‘is the most played woman in country music.’
Allen intimated that Beyoncé had taken a bit of a shortcut in covering Dolly Parton’s 1973 mega-hit Jolene, a smash hit that has a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
‘It’s quite an interesting thing to do when you’re trying to tackle a new genre and you pick the biggest song in that genre,’ Allen said. ‘I mean you do you, Beyoncé.’
Allen, who is currently recording a new album in Nashville, added, ‘I’m here because I love country music and always have done, not saying Beyoncé doesn’t, but I tell stories in my music and that’s what country music is.’
Elsewhere in the podcast, Allen said she felt the icon was ‘getting some help’ to maintain her youthful looks.
While Oliver gushed over Beyoncé’s age-defying beauty, Allen implied she feels the Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) artist has had work done.
Oliver said: ‘She does look great, she makes turning 40 exciting,’ to which Allen added, ‘Yeah but, she’s getting some help.’
Oliver replied, ‘She has not had any work done if that’s what you’re implying!’
Allen said: ‘I didn’t say that but she’s got a great stylish, great hair people, she works out, got the access to the best personal trainers in the world… she’s Beyoncé.’
Allen on the podcast also admitted that she finds people attractive when they hold a lot of ‘power’ instead of ‘looks.’
Oliver asked: ‘Do you think Jay-Z is attractive?’ to which Allen said, ‘I mean I’m attractive to power, so yes but not physically. But to be honest I don’t really go for people physically.’
