Lily Allen shades Beyoncé’s decision to go country with new album Cowboy Carter calling it ‘calculated’ – and questions why she chose to cover Dolly Parton’s mega-hit Jolene

Lily Allen seemingly criticized Beyoncé’s new country album, Cowboy Carter, calling it “calculated” and questioned why she chose to cover Dolly Parton’s Jolene.

The London native, 38, made the comments about her BBC Sounds Podcast Do You Miss Me? on Thursday with co-host Miquita Oliver, 39, as they discussed the 42-year-old superstar’s foray into a new genre.

The Air Balloon frontwoman said she felt Beyoncé’s transition to country music seemed “calculated” due to her husband Jay-Z’s speech at the Grammys, criticizing organizers for never awarding her Best Album honors.

“I think it’s been pretty calculated,” the Fear frontman said. ‘I feel like when Jay-Z appeared at the Grammys, that was part of this campaign.

“It was before the album came out or was even announced and she was wearing a blonde wig and a cowboy hat.”

The Grammy-nominated artist said the actions were taken in an ultimately successful effort to “challenge the institution,” noting that Beyoncé “is the most performed woman in country music.”

Allen hinted that Beyoncé had taken a shortcut by covering Dolly Parton’s 1973 megahit Jolene, a smash hit that has a spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“It’s a pretty interesting thing when you’re trying to tackle a new genre and you pick the biggest song in that genre,” Allen said. “I mean, you do it, Beyoncé.”

Allen, who is currently recording a new album in Nashville, added: “I’m here because I love country music and I always have, not to say Beyoncé doesn’t, but I tell stories in my music and that’s what country music is. “. ‘

Elsewhere in the podcast, Allen said he felt the icon was “getting help” to maintain his youthful appearance.

While Oliver gushed about Beyoncé’s age-defying beauty, Allen hinted that he feels the Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) artist has had some work done.

Oliver said: “She looks great, she makes turning 40 exciting,” to which Allen added: “Yes, but she’s getting help.”

Oliver replied: ‘They haven’t done any work on it if that’s what you’re implying!’

Allen said, “I didn’t say that, but she has great style, great hair, she works out, she has access to the best personal trainers in the world…she’s Beyoncé.”

Allen on the podcast also admitted that he finds people attractive when they have a lot of “power” rather than “looks.”

Oliver asked: ‘Do you think Jay-Z is attractive? to which Allen said, ‘I mean I’m attractive for power, so yes, but not physically. But to be honest, I don’t like people physically.