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Where was Oliver Anthony born? Singer slammed for his 'fake hillbilly' accent after Fox News interview with Griff Jenkins

Emerging country singer Oliver Anthony faced backlash over his accent and alleged misrepresentation of his origin in his interview on Fox News

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Oliver Anthony, whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, revealed that he was born in Farmville, Virginia. He also mentioned that he was raised in North Carolina, where he currently lives.

The emerging country singer who gained prominence with his track 'Rich Men North of Richmond' recently came under scrutiny over his "fake" accent. 

Internet slams Oliver Anthony's 'fake' accent

However, after a recent interview with Fox News, Anthony has faced accusations of misrepresenting his place of origin.

Some have gone so far as to label him a fake Southerner as his accent during the interview didn't align with the typical Southern accent spoken by those from the region.

In the interview with Griff Jenkins, Anthony talked about how working-class people are "the melting pot of the world," highlighting their strength in their diversity. "We need to now learn to harness that and appreciate it and not use it as a political tool to keep everyone separate from each other."

One X (formerly known as Twitter) user shared a clip of the interview, writing, "Where did Oliver Anthony’s accent go?? Also, why is he saying diversity is our strength?"

A vexed user tweeted, "I’m annoyed at how many people are buying into the erasure of West Virginia coal miners in this discussion of whether or not Oliver Anthony, a non-Appalachian with a fake accent from a place unironically called 'Colonial Heights,' deserves to be on the Billboards." 

A third added, "Promoted algorithm boosted "based" red beard hillbilly song guy was faking his accent and says diversity is our strength."

Another user said, "Hey woke crowd, you can have this fake idiot. Oliver Anthony, the musician who became the darling of the conservative world for his song 'Rich Men North of Richmond,' Hes a fake. Don't trust me, look at his interview with the traitor Fox. Even his hillbilly accent is fake."

Oliver Anthony accused of being an industry plant

"So Oliver Anthony doesn’t have a Southern accent after all? Told you the guy was a plant, lol," one user wrote.

Another added, "#OliverAnthony doesn't have a WV accent, only when he sings. Neither he nor any member of his family were ever coal miners. He owns 90 acres of farmland. You got taken in by and emotionally wed yourself like a child to a pro-fascist industry plant. Just admit it."