Is this the 'Beyonce effect'? Star is credited for creating a more diverse line-up at the CMT Awards - despite her skipping the country ceremony

Beyonce has been credited her with this year's diverse red carpet at the CMT Awards - despite her not attending the event. 

Fans had been hoping the singer, 42, would make a surprise event at the annual ceremony on Sunday night after the release of her new album Cowboy Carter.

However, she opted to stay away from the event, with attendees just hearing a glimpse of her vocals when they played her cover of Jolene during a commercial break. 

In her absence, four of her collaborators - all black women - took to the stage at the Moody Center in Austin to present at the ceremony. 

The audience cheered as singers Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts & Brittney Spencer presented the Duo/Group Video of the Year.

Beyonce has been credited her with this year's diverse red carpet at the CMT Awards - despite her not attending the event (pictured earlier this month) 

In her absence, four of her collaborators (L-R) Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy took to the stage at the Moody Center in Austin to present at the ceremony

All four of the singers perform alongside Beyonce on her cover of The Beatles' 1965 ballad Blackbird.

Adell also performs vocals on the opening song American Requiem, and Kennedy, Roberts and Spencer also sing harmonies on another track, Tyrant.

Spencer told the crowds: 'Austin, you look so hot! Oh, my god. 

'As country singers, we live and breathe this music, and we're proud to be part of this night and this moment.'

Kennedy added: 'When artists come together, making music feels magical,' while Adell continued, 'And it's hard to describe that feeling of joining each other in song.'

Roberts continued: 'But these artists nominated for duo/group video of the year know that feeling very well.'

The Duo/Group Video of the Year went to Dan + Shay for their video Save Me the Trouble.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, during the ceremony, viewers tweeted about the increased diversity, after black artists Willie Jones, Amber Riley, Quia Thompson and GloRilla attended the CMTs for the first time. 

They shared: 'The CMT Awards looking real DEI [Diversity, equity and inclusion] Beyoncé’s impact!';

'Proof of CMT Awards validation and acknowledgement of Cowboy Carter — having the Black country artists feat. on Beyoncé’s song, Blackbiird, present together just 9 days after its release. Reyna Roberts. Brittney Spencer. Tanner Adell. Tiera Kennedy';

'Don’t attack me but… have non country artists always gone to the CMT Awards? Or is this the Beyonce effect?'; 

'Maybe you misunderstood what I meant by Beyoncé’s impact but.. while, I absolutely agree they ALL are and have been deserving nominees, the CMT carpet has never looked this Black until Cowboy Carter. Artists & Media alike.' 

The audience cheered as the singers presented the Duo/Group Video of the Year

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, during the ceremony, viewers tweeted about the increased diversity

Last week, Beyonce officially became the first black artist to reach number 1 in the UK with a country album, as well as hitting number 1 on the singles chart with Texas Hold 'Em. 

Having both of the two top spots side by side with a country music album has made music history in the UK. 

Her latest album, Cowboy Carter, broke a record that even country music legend Dolly Parton, 78, has not broken.

This is the second time the hitmaker has reached an Official Chart Double.

Over twenty years ago in 2003 the mother-of-three secured the top spots with her debut solo album, Dangerously In Love, and the iconic Crazy In Love singe.

Beyonce has hit a career best with three of her tracks from Cowboy Carter hitting the charts, the now TikTok famous hit Texas Hold 'Em is joined by Jolene and Most Wanted, featuring Miley Cyrus. 

Last month, Beyoncé unveiled the cover for her hotly anticipated country album - while addressing the backlash she received for entering the genre.

'Today marks the 10-day countdown until the release of act ii,' the Grammy winner began. 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the supporters of [the album's singles] TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES.'

Willie Jones, who featured on Beyoncé's album Cowboy Carter on the track Just for Fun, made his first CMT appearance on Sunday evening 

Glee star Amber Riley also attended the ceremony for the first time after being nominated in Performance of the year for her cover of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. from CMT Smashing Glass

Marquia Thompson, working on a documentary about her grandmother, Bad Case of The Country Blues: The Linda Martell Story, made her first CMT Awards appearance 

Tennessee-born rapper GloRilla made her CMT Awards red carpet debut on Sunday

She continued: 'I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you.

'My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.'

The album cover showed Beyoncé on horseback, brandishing an American flag while wearing a red, white and blue leather outfit with a silver Stetson. 

'This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,' Beyoncé wrote in the caption.

'But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.'

She added: 'The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.'

Beyoncé teased: 'I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.'

'I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE…I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop.'

In conclusion, she wrote: 'This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!'

Last month, Beyoncé unveiled the cover for her hotly anticipated country album Cowboy Carter - while addressing the backlash she received for entering the genre