Jo Dee Messina Reveals Label Rejected Her For Being “Too Fat”
March 18, 2026 9:28 amJo Dee Messina disclosed in a new interview that a Nashville record label once rejected her early in her career because of her weight.
The label told her producer they would have signed the 55-year-old singer “if she was 10 pounds lighter.”
Messina called the rejection “devastating” and said the words still affect her three decades later. Her sister provided crucial support, encouraging her to “just keep going” despite the setback.
Messina noted that artists often face rejection “a thousand times before you get a deal.”
The red-haired country icon eventually achieved massive success with nine number one hits and 16 Top 40 songs, plus numerous awards and nominations.
Currently making a comeback, Messina recently posted clips of new music on TikTok after battling cancer in 2017 and taking time off for treatment.
Categorised in: Country Music News
This post was written by Cheryl Johnstone