Lou Ridley has no interest in being the kind of American girl who smiles, stays quiet and makes everyone comfortable.

In this fearless and completely unfiltered conversation, Lou opens up about the meaning behind “American Girl,” reclaiming the American flag and challenging the narrow definition of what a Southern woman is supposed to look like, believe or become.

Lou gets honest about growing up around ignorance and bigotry in Texas, unlearning what she had been taught and choosing to use her voice—even when it costs her followers, opportunities or approval.

Her philosophy is simple: “If you’re not exploring your art in a way that upsets people, you’re not making art. You’re entertaining people.”

She also talks about the provocative imagery behind “American Girl,” why criticism can be more powerful than indifference and what happened when the music industry told her and Bryan Andrews that their approach would never work—only for their tour to start selling out venues across the country.

Lou and Amanda also get into politics, patriotism, religion, the pressure placed on women to marry and have children, and the grief that taught Lou to stop waiting for “later” and live fully right now.

This is Lou Ridley without a filter—and this American girl has plenty to say.

#LouRidley #AmericanGirl #ThatNashvilleGirl

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