The 2024 CMT Awards showcased a star-studded red carpet with celebrities donning glamorous and stylish outfits, including appearances by Jelly Roll, Bunnie Xo, Melissa Etheridge, Chase Stokes, Mickey Guyton, and many others, highlighting the fusion of country music and fashion at the event.
Jelly Roll, a rising star in the country music industry, reflects on his journey from juvenile detention to winning three CMT Awards, including Video of the Year. Maintaining a humble demeanor, he delivered an emotionally charged performance at the awards show and used his platform to inspire others by addressing his past struggles with the law. With a unique blend of country music and hip-hop, Jelly Roll is set to embark on his Beautifully Broken Tour, marking a significant milestone in his career and prompting him to dream even bigger.
The 2024 CMT Awards featured a moving tribute to the late Toby Keith, with Sammy Hagar, Brooks & Dunn, and Lainey Wilson performing musical tributes to the country star. Hagar reminisced about his friendship with Keith, performing "I Love This Bar" in honor of their time together. Keith, known for hits like "Should've Been a Cowboy," passed away in February after battling stomach cancer, and the heartfelt performances at the awards show paid tribute to his legacy and impact on the country music community.
The 2024 CMT Awards faced criticism for various performances, including Jason Aldean's controversial backdrop and Kelsea Ballerini's hosting. The absence of Beyoncé sparked accusations of racism, while the event featured both acclaimed and lackluster performances from artists like Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, and Keith Urban. Overall, the awards show received mixed reviews and raised questions about the state of mainstream country music.
At the 2024 CMT Music Awards, Sammy Hagar, Brooks & Dunn, and Lainey Wilson paid tribute to the late Toby Keith, with Hagar performing "I Love This Bar," a fitting choice for the occasion. Keith, who passed away in February, was honored by his fellow musicians, and CMT will release an additional one-hour tribute to him. Keith, a prominent figure in country music, will be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the fall.
Country singer Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO experienced a scary moment when their private jet had to make an emergency landing due to technical issues while en route to the 2024 CMT Awards in Austin, Texas. Bunnie documented the ordeal on social media, describing it as "scary," but the couple has since safely arrived for the awards show, where Jelly Roll is a top nominee and performer.
The 2024 CMT Music Awards are set to celebrate country music tonight in Austin, Texas, with Kelsea Ballerini hosting the show solo. The red carpet coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the awards show at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+. Notable performers include Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, and Sugarland, with a special tribute to Toby Keith. Beyoncé's attendance remains unconfirmed despite her recent release of a country music album.
Shania Twain made a show-stopping appearance at the CMT Awards, wearing a stunning red and black dress on the red carpet and a sparkling purple crop top and shorts to receive the Equal Play Award. In her acceptance speech, she called for an all-inclusive country music industry that gives equal play to all artists regardless of gender, age, or race.
Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian stole the show at the CMT Awards with their flirty and playful photos from the event. The couple, who will celebrate their 12-year wedding anniversary soon, looked stunning and received compliments from fans. Leann presented an award and closed out the show with a performance.
Kelsea Ballerini opened the CMT Awards by honoring the victims of the recent Nashville school shooting and dedicating the show to those affected by gun violence. She also performed with drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race, making a political statement as Tennessee and Texas consider banning drag performances. Other country stars, including Mickey Guyton and Reba McEntire, have also spoken out about the shooting.
Kelsea Ballerini faced both criticism and praise for featuring drag queens from "RuPaul's Drag Race" during her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The performance made a statement amid a debate over anti-LGBTQ legislation in Tennessee, where some musicians have aligned themselves against laws limiting LGBTQ rights. While some viewers took issue with Ballerini's "woke" showcase, others applauded her act of defiance and show of alliance. LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD highlighted Ballerini's "bold allyship" amid the anti-trans legislation pushes in Tennessee, Texas, and other Southern states.
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes made their red carpet debut as a couple at the CMT Awards, where Kelsea was hosting the show. The couple looked happy together, with Chase supporting Kelsea from the audience and even singing along to her songs. Kelsea said she was "really happy" and "feeling good" about their relationship. After the show, they headed back home and had a fun weekend together.
Gwen Stefani's outfit at the CMT Awards 2023, a Valentino Haute Couture ensemble consisting of a black blazer, long skinny tie, white shirt, gold beaded miniskirt, fishnet tights, and knee-high furry boots, received mixed reactions from fans on social media. While some praised her high-fashion look, others criticized it as looking like a "costume" and lacking proper tailoring. Stefani later changed into a polka-dotted Versace minidress for her performance of "Just a Girl" with Carly Pearce.
Gwen Stefani's knee-high furry black boots at the CMT Awards have received mixed reactions from fans. While some appreciated her daring fashion sense, others compared her boots to "Sasquatch legs." Stefani's outfit was from Valentino and she also performed "Just a Girl" with Carly Pearce in a retro polka dot halter dress and black strappy heels.
Kelsea Ballerini performed with Drag Race alumni at the CMT Awards in Nashville, in defiance of Tennessee's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which prohibits "public drag" in front of children. The queens provided backup vocals and danced to Ballerini's hit "If You Go Down (I'm Going Down Too)." The legislation has since been halted by a federal judge. Ballerini joins a resistance of country artists showing up for the LGBTQ+ community, such as Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, and Brooke Eden.