Jason Aldean. AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Jason Aldean has consistently grabbed attention not only for his music but also for his controversial actions. The country musician initially faced criticism when he openly acknowledged being unfaithful to his first wife, Jessica Ussery, in 2012. The affair was with his current wife, Brittany Aldean (previously known as Kerr). Consequently, Jason filed for divorce from Ussery, with whom he has two daughters, just seven months after his admission.
"She will forever hold significance in my life as the mother of my children, and I am confident that both of us will consistently prioritize our daughters," he stated.
Over ten years later, Jason faced backlash for his song "Try That in a Small Town," released in May 2023. The track received widespread criticism for its controversial and racially insensitive content. Aldean, however, defended the song in a detailed social media post.
Keep scrolling for Jason’s most controversial moments over the years:
Cheating Scandal With Brittany Aldean
Jason publicly addressed his actions in September 2012 when he was seen intimately interacting with Brittany in a photograph. In a statement shared on Facebook, he admitted his mistake, acknowledging that he had consumed excessive alcohol and had allowed the situation to spiral out of control at a bar. Jason further disclosed that he left the bar alone and proceeded to his next show by bus, putting an end to the incident. He expressed regret for bringing shame upon his family and himself, emphasizing that he is not without flaws. Jason extended his apologies to his fans, thanking them for their ongoing support and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to resolve the matter privately with his loved ones.
Jason and Ussery split soon after. He filed for divorce in 2013.
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COVID and Vaccination Drama
Jason's conservative political views have always been known, but he caused quite a commotion with his response to a recent California mandate that children must receive COVID vaccines in order to attend school.
“So let me get this straight! We are no longer able to make decisions about our children as parents (or as free Americans), because now Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, makes those decisions for us? Are you joking?” Jason proclaimed on Instagram in 2021. “The people in California should be filled with outrage, and people everywhere else must begin to take a stand and raise their voices NOW. This is not how America operates, nor is it the essence of freedom.”
Maren Morris Feud
Morris' disagreement in August 2022 was primarily with Brittany rather than Jason, but his decision to support his wife also landed him in trouble.
During that period, Brittany faced backlash for including a transphobic message in one of her beauty vlogs. In the video's caption, she expressed gratitude towards her parents for not allowing her to change her gender during her tomboy phase and emphasized her affection for her current feminine lifestyle.
Morris wasted no time retaliating, stating on social media, "Isn't it simple to avoid being a terrible person? Sell your hair extensions and stay silent, Insurrection Barbie."
Jason, on his end, stood up for Brittany amidst the controversy, referring to her as "MY Barbie" in an Instagram remark.
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‘Try That in a Small Town’ Racism Accusations
Jason came under scrutiny for alleged racism following the release of his song "Try It in a Small Town" in 2023.
In the track, Jason sings, "Engage in confrontations with law enforcement, spit in their faces / Disrespect the flag by stomping on it and setting it ablaze / You may think you're tough, but try doing that in a small town / Witness how quickly your progress is impeded / In this community, we look out for one another / If you dare to cross that line, the consequences will swiftly become apparent / I strongly advise against it."
Jason received criticism for his support of firearms. Singing, "I possess a gun that was gifted by my grandfather. People claim that one day they will confiscate it. Well, that may be accepted in urban areas, but it won't fare well here," he faced backlash.
In response, Jason defended his song through social media in July. However, despite his defense, CMT decided to no longer include the song.
"In the last 24 hours, I have been accused of releasing a song endorsing lynching (a song that has been available since May) and I have also been unfairly compared to someone who expressed dissatisfaction with the nationwide BLM protests. These accusations hold no ground and are not only baseless but also pose a threat," he tweeted at the time. "There is not a single lyric in the song that makes any reference to race or supports it. Furthermore, every video clip used in the song is authentic news footage. While I understand and respect that others may have their own interpretations of a song accompanied by music, this particular allegation crosses the line."