Among the many coveted fan interactions the world’s most famous artists have on stage — receiving Taylor Swift’s infamous “22” hat at The Eras Tour, for example, or having Harry Styles call your ex — on-stage gender reveals have become a growing trend at live events.
Earlier this month at a show in Inglewood, California’s Kia Forum, Kacey Musgraves was asked to take part in a fan’s big reveal.
The notoriously sassy country star — donning a shimmery green dress (not unlike Tinker Bell’s signature look) — had a few words before she agreed to the request.
“Here’s what I’m gonna say,” she said, in a video shared on TikTok. “I will open this and tell you the gender if you promise that when they grow up — if they decide that’s not the gender that they feel like they are — will you honor that?”
The singer outstretched her arm toward the fan, almost rolling her eyes, communicating that her request is the most obvious requirement a new parent must meet.
The fan agreed.
“Will you honor that?” Musgraves echoed. “You will?!”
Then, the very official envelope was passed up through the crowd and onto the stage.
Before opening it, Musgraves said off-handedly: “This is the last one I’m ever doing.”
She fiddled with the envelope for a moment, and once again reiterated her point, with “Jeopardy!” music coming from her band in the background.
“But for real, do you promise that if they don’t feel like the gender they are, that you will love and support them no matter what?” Musgraves asked again.
The crowd roared in response, the future parents included.
It’s important to note that what Musgraves is referring to is the biological sex of the child, which is different from gender identity, though the two can certainly overlap, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Gender reveals often refer to the biological sex and physiological characteristics of a person, like reproductive organs, hormones, or chromosomes. Gender, on the other hand, refers to socially constructed characteristics experienced by men and women (or, in this case, boys and girls).
Musgraves has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and even won GLAAD’s Vanguard Award in 2022. The honor is given to an entertainment figure who does not identify as LGBTQ+ but displays a strong commitment to the community.
The “Deeper Well” singer has used her platform to speak up against anti-trans legislation in her home state of Texas, as well as advancing other LGBTQ+ voices in country music.
On the Red Carpet for the awards in 2022, Musgraves told journalists that she “would jump in front of a moving train for the LGBTQ community,” according to Them.
This history of support for queer and trans folks makes it unsurprising that she would go to bat for the community — and a future member of society — in this fan interaction.
After skimming the medical document, Musgraves made the announcement. “You’re having a boy,” she smiled. “Congratulations.”
While making the moment special for this individual, Musgraves also used it to sow the seeds of support for a new family — and for everyone watching in the audience.
“This is so funny and beautiful and important,” one TikTok user commented on the video of the fan interaction.
Another added: “That’s a great way to use your voice to project more love into the world.”
Header images courtesy of Sara Ramirez/TikTok and Dave Godreau/Unsplash