Praised by feminists and denounced by purists, the Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, are hiding 554 × 554some dark secrets in their upbeat, catchy tunes.

In 2020, the talented, outspoken and formidable trio – who refuse to pander to the public – made a triumphant return with more sassy songs in “Gaslighter,” their first release in almost 14 years.

And despite being canceled years ago, the women are still “Not Ready to Make Nice.” Keep reading to learn more about the brilliant but dark side of this trio!

In 2003, the Dixie Chicks had a seismic drop in popularity after Texas native Natalie Maines fired shots at George W. Bush when she said: “We’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”

The shockwaves were felt from the London stage she stood to people across the world.

Despite apologizing, radio stations banned the Grammy-winning trio from their playlists and Republican pearl-clutchers were outraged.

Then, the women – who received death threats for Maines’ anti-Bush comments – were canceled from mainstream music, but they still had a loyal following of fans who loved them harder than before.

After earning five Grammy Awards for the 2006 album “Taking the Long Way Home,” which includes ‘Not Ready to Make Nice‘ – the song responding to criticisms over the 2003 comment – the band fell quiet.

The incident cast a long shadow in the industry.

In her 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana, Taylor Swift, a lifelong Chicks fan, said her fear of getting “Dixie Chick-ed” is why she remains tight-lipped about politics.

Triumphant return

Almost 14 years later, the trio dropped Dixie from its name and made its triumphant return with the 2020 album “Gaslighter.”

The album tells a scathing tale of Maines’ hate-filled divorce from ex-husband Adrian Pasdar, an actor credited with starring roles in the TV series Judging Amy and Heroes. Pasdar also appears in the video to The Chick’s hit song, ‘Goodbye Earl.’