Megan Moroney's 'Cloud 9' Debuts at No. 1 on Albums Chart

Mar 2, 2026 12:02pm PT Megan Moroney’s ‘Cloud 9’ Becomes First Country Album by a Female Artist to Top Chart in Nearly Two Years By Steven J. Horowitz Plus Icon Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer speriod Latest Sombr Altercation at Brit Awards Was Staged, Rep Confirms 2 days ago When We Were Young Festival on Hiatus for 2026, Will Return Next Year in Las Vegas 2 days ago ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami Perform ‘Golden’ at BRIT Awards 2 days ago See All Courtesy of Amber Asaly Megan Moroney made a smashing debut this week as her album “Cloud 9” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The country star earned her first chart-topper as “Cloud 9” began with 147,000 equivalent album units. This denotes the biggest week for a country album by a woman in almost two years, following Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” in April 2024. Moroney’s “Cloud 9” is her third studio album and second to debut in the top 10 after “Am I Okay?” bowed at No. 9 in 2024. Her 2023 debut, “Lucky,” previously peaked at No. 38. Popular on Variety Related Stories After BAFTAs, Mel Gibson, J.K. Rowling and More Celebs Blame Hateful Speech on Tourette's in 'SNL' Sketch Mel Gibson Consulting With Excommunicated Archbishop — Who Once Called Pope Francis ‘A Servant of Satan'— for 'Resurrection of the Christ'  Moroney’s debut is particularly notable for a female country artist, as only seven albums by five women have reached the top of the albums chart in the past decade. Previous toppers include “Cowboy Carter,” Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” “Red (Taylor’s Version),” “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” Carrie Underwood’s “Cry Pretty” and Shania Twain’s “Now.” For comparison, 17 country albums by 11 men have hit No. 1 in the same timespan. Female country musicians have recently been storming the charts, as Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” hit the top of the Hot 100 last month. Langley made history that week as she became the first woman ever to crown the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs chart and Country Airplay chart at the same time. Other notable debuts on the albums chart include Hilary Duff’s comeback album “Luck… or Something,” which has an impressive bow at No. 3, as well as Baby Keem’s “Ca$ino” at No. 4 and Mumford & Sons’ “Prizefighter” at No. 10. Jump to Comments Pamela Anderson Teases Role in Michael Cera’s Absurdist Comedy ‘Love Is Not the Answer’: ‘I Got to Play a Really Interesting Woman’ Lukas Gage on Playing Pamela Anderson’s Son in ‘Rosebush Pruning’: ‘She Stayed in Character the Whole Time Giving Me Gifts as My Mom’ Inside Dorothy St. Pictures, the Female-Fronted Powerhouse Behind Victoria Beckham, Pamela Anderson and Courtney Love’s Candid Docs Pamela Anderson ‘Felt Yucky’ Sitting Near Seth Rogen at Golden Globes and Demands Apology Over ‘Pam & Tommy’: That Series ‘Pissed Me Off’ Callum Turner Immediately Asked About James Bond Rumors in Berlin: ‘I’m Not Going to Comment’ Dakota Fanning to Star in Apple TV Thriller as Undercover Treasury Agent JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...