Riley Green: Proud to Be a Redneck
Riley Green may be one of country music’s biggest stars — selling out arenas, topping charts, and earning People’s Choice’s “2025 Sexiest Country Star” title — but fame hasn’t changed the Alabama native one bit. At heart, he’s still the same small-town country boy who proudly embraces his roots.
Redneck? He’ll Take It as a Compliment
In a recent interview with Zach Sang, the “Different ’Round Here” singer explained that being called a “redneck” doesn’t offend him — it describes him.
“There’s probably nicer terms,” Green joked. “But for me, redneck was just somebody that grew up out in the country, and what you did for fun was probably not the same as somebody — I guess you could call a city clicker — would do.”
Growing up in Jacksonville, Alabama, Green said his idea of “big time” was having a Walmart, Johnson’s, and a Waffle House nearby. “My whole family is from Pleasant Valley, right outside of Jacksonville,” he laughed. “They would say I was ‘city’ because we had a Walmart.”
From Reality TV to Country Fame
Before his rise to country stardom, Green got his first taste of the spotlight as a contestant — and eventual winner — on CMT’s Redneck Island (Season 5). Competing alongside teammate Becky Andrews, the two outlasted the competition in a series of Survivor-style challenges to take home a $100,000 prize.
Still the Same Country Boy
Now, Green headlines major venues across the country and is gearing up for his 2026 “Cowboy As It Gets” Tour, but despite his success — and his new “sexiest star” title — he hasn’t lost touch with who he is.
He’s proud of his small-town roots, his down-to-earth personality, and the label that defines his upbringing.
He may be one of country music’s hottest stars, but as Green puts it — he’s still just a redneck from Alabama, and that’s exactly how he likes it.