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Country Singers Come Together To Answer Mickey Guyton’s Question, ‘What Are You Gonna Tell Her?’

The question is: What are you gonna tell her?

Written by Grace Lenehan Vaughn
Country Singers Come Together To Answer Mickey Guyton’s Question, ‘What Are You Gonna Tell Her?’
Chrissy Metz with Mickey Guyton, Diane Warren and Devon Franklin at the CMA Close Up Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X on Saturday, June 8 during the 2019 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville. Photo courtesy of CMA

In honor of her song, “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?,” which questions what to tell young women who are let down by the world, Mickey Guyton has started a social media trend that challenges her fellow female artists and women in general to share words of advice for other women.

“I wrote ‘What Are You Gonna Tell Her?’ to start conversations answering this question and give others a chance to speak their truths,” Guyton wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of her holding up a sign that says #WhatAreYouGonnaTellHer. “I challenge all of you to answer the question and tag your friends to share their truth! Don’t forget to tag me too! Let’s lift up and support each other. If these messages can reach one person who doesn’t feel that they have the support and gives them the inspiration to reach for their dreams, that is my greatest wish.”

In her next post, Guyton tagged some of her friends, including country singers Cam, Caylee Hammack and Laura Bell Bundy, and the posts have only multiplied since then. Cam shared a #WhatAreYouGonnaTellHer post giving advice to her 7-month-old daughter, Lucy. Hammack shared her own post, urging people to “protect the innocent, to stand up against injustice when we see it,” and tagged Tenille Townes and Ashley McBryde. Kalie Shorr also shared a post directed at her adopted little sister.

“So what I’m going to tell her is: who you are is the sum of how you treat people,” wrote Shorr. “Being threatened by other women and not pursuing friendships with them will stunt your growth. You need to be surrounded by people who understand. You might have to work harder than the boys, and it might not always be fair, but the reward you get from working your ass off will outweigh that in the end.”

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Thanks @mickeyguyton for starting this and inviting me: #whatareyougonnatellher 🌌 Lucy, I want to tell you so many things, but my path is different from yours, so take what is helpful and leave the rest: . You are a precious instrument in a cosmic symphony. You are made of stardust, just like the rest of this place. Isn’t it Marvelous? Honor yourself, and Listen. And be tickled when multiple things ring true at once. . From what I can tell, the stories we share create our reality. And the most widely-told story is one about an imaginary ladder. It’s not real, but the suffering it causes is very real. I need you to hear how this story steals from each of us, and gives to some of us. Once you see all of it for what it is, you will know what to do. . Last but not least, I love you forever. . I invite anyone with messages for young people to participate and use the hashtag #whatareyougonnatellher I would love to hear what @milckmusic @jennifernettles @ritawilson and @nataliehemby would say 💛 (also i stole @cayleehammack’s brilliant handwriting above cause our little paper kept getting turned around, and then someone ate it. Not naming names)

A post shared by Cam (@camcountry) on

The initiative has since gone beyond the sphere of country music, with women from all over sharing their #WhatAreYouGonnaTellHer story.

Guyton first made waves with “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” in February when she performed the song at a Universal Music Group luncheon at the Ryman Auditorium during Country Radio Seminar. Guyton also shares her truth through song with her release, “Black Like Me,” which shares her personal experience as a Black woman and calls out injustices against both Black people and women. Her latest release, “Heaven Down Here,” is out now.

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I’m doing the #whatareyougonnatellher challenge (an amazing initiative tied to an even more amazing song by @mickeyguyton). It’s all about sharing your experience as a woman and encouraging others- which we can all get behind. Getting an adopted little sister last year changed my whole perspective and made me want to be a better person. So what I’m going to tell her is: who you are is the sum of how you treat people. Being threatened by other women and not pursuing friendships with them will stunt your growth. You need to be surrounded by people who understand. You might have to work harder than the boys, and it might not always be fair, but the reward you get from working your ass off will outweigh that in the end. Don’t base your self worth on boys (I’ve definitely done that). And wait for the right one- when it happens, you’ll know. I nominate @savannahkeyesmusic, @candicarpenter, and @cassadeepope 🖤🖤

A post shared by Kalie Shorr (@kalieshorr) on

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My friend @mickeyguyton wrote an incredible song called #whatareyougonnatellher you can listen to in my insta story. She’s challenged me to answer the question. And this is what I’d tell her: ‘Women ARE NOT the weaker sex. Less we forget that it was women who birthed the human race, nursed and raised the human race. That’s an innate power innate no one can take away that requires the utmost strength. All progress requires that we filter the current laws and traditions thru our conscience. If you know something is not right, use your innate power and strength to change it. Sometimes we gotta break the laws to remake the laws. You GOT this, girl. You really do. I challenge @edenespinosa @kerrybutler1 @ingridmichaelson @chrissiefit @tymberlee_hill #whatareyougonnatellher

A post shared by Laura Bell Bundy (@laurabellbundy) on

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6ORSGh5Cm
Tags: Cam, Caylee Hammack, Harper Grae, Laura Bell Bundy, Mickey Guyton, Tenille Townes