Country Singer Pushes Back Against Music Execs Who Asked Her to Take Down American Flag From Social Media

Alexis Wilkins, 26, is drawing national attention after speaking out about what she describes as political pressure from the music industry over her patriotic expression. Wilkins said executives urged her to alter her social media presence and support specific causes if she wanted to advance her career.

“I was told to take an American Flag out of my Instagram bio, or that I had to support certain things or do certain things in order to get booked on tours, in order to get signed to a label,” Wilkins shared. “There are things that you ultimately have to give up, and I wasn't willing to bend the knee to that.”

According to Wilkins, the issue stemmed from her use of patriotic symbols and affiliations. She said she was cautioned against displaying the American Flag or openly backing veteran organizations, with industry insiders suggesting such choices could be seen as politically partisan.

“The industry and some figureheads in the industry were just saying that me having an American Flag in my bio was going to be seen as partisan,” she said. “It was things that were fundamentally American and things that I wasn't willing to compromise on.”

Wilkins's position exemplifies her unwillingness to relinquish her sense of patriotism even when facing a warning regarding potential professional consequences. Her comments highlight a more fundamental issue for musicians: that is, the struggle between their own creative voice and the expectations of their industry.

In not succumbing, Wilkins also placed herself in the midst of an important cultural conversation around freedom of expression in music. Hers is a telling example of the struggles artists face when their own genesis or ideologies are at odds with professional pressures and expectations. In country music, these pressures are often very obvious, since they most often draw upon individual experiences of national identity.

In contrast, Wilkins's desire to resist, when asked to tolerate contradictory stories surrounding sex and nationalism, signifies that she prioritizes authenticity over obedience. Her refusal and hesitance to compromise signal a larger conversation about having the freedom to create and being able to express pride in one's own country without fear of compromising one's livelihood.