Rising Country Star Megan Moroney Honored by Alicia Keys

Moroney receives Artist Spotlight Award at Women Sharing The Spotlight event in LA

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Country music artist Megan Moroney was honored at the Women Sharing The Spotlight event organized by Alicia Keys' organization She Is the Music. Moroney, whose new album Cloud 9 is out this Friday, accepted the Artist Spotlight Award and expressed surprise that Keys even knew who she was.

Why it matters

The event and award highlight the continued efforts to increase the representation and recognition of women in the male-dominated music industry. Moroney's all-female team was also celebrated, challenging the notion that there is 'only room for a few women at the top'.

The details

At the event in West Hollywood, California, Moroney took the stage to accept her award, saying 'I can't believe Alicia Keys knows who I am.' In her speech, Moroney expressed inspiration from being in a room with 'bada** women who change the game every day' and emphasized that 'music and creating art isn't a competition for oxygen'.

  • The event took place on February 18, 2026.
  • Megan Moroney's new album Cloud 9 is set to be released on February 21, 2026.

The players

Megan Moroney

A rising country music artist whose new album Cloud 9 is set to be released.

Alicia Keys

A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and co-founder of the organization She Is the Music, which hosted the Women Sharing The Spotlight event.

She Is the Music

An organization co-founded by Alicia Keys to increase the number of women working in the music industry.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not even gonna play with y'all. I can't believe Alicia Keys knows who I am.”

— Megan Moroney (Rolling Stone)

“I'm inspired every time I get to be in a room with bada** women who change the game every day, who do things their own way, and who don't take no for an answer.”

— Megan Moroney (Rolling Stone)

“I think sometimes we're taught, subtly or not, that there's only room for a few women at the top. But music and creating art isn't a competition for oxygen. I'm positive that when one of us wins, it stretches the ceiling higher for the next girl watching.”

— Megan Moroney (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

Megan Moroney's new album Cloud 9 is set to be released on February 21, 2026, just a few days after the event.

The takeaway

This event and Moroney's recognition highlight the continued efforts to elevate and celebrate the contributions of women in the male-dominated music industry, challenging the notion that there is limited space for female artists to succeed.