Kelsea Ballerini Will Host the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Texas
CMT and CBS announced that the 2023 CMT Music Awards will air on Sunday, April 2, 2023 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) live from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center for the first time…
CMT and CBS announced that the 2023 CMT Music Awards will air on Sunday, April 2, 2023 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center for the first time ever.
Kelsea Ballerini will return as CMT Music Awards co-host for the third consecutive year, as she revealed last night (11/2) at Underwood's show in Austin, Texas. Underwood, who holds the title of the winningest artist in CMT history, with a total of 25 trophies, was revealed as the first performer for the 2023 show.
Kelsea gave Carrie a huge wrestling-style belt buckle commemorating her status as the biggest CMT Music Award winner ever and then told the excited crowd about the show now taking place in their town of Austin, Texas. Underwood responded, "That's quite the belt buckle."
Ballerini posted the Surprise on her Instagram, writing, "Surprise! @CMT Music Awards is coming to Austin, TX, hosted by Kelsea and with a performance by Carrie! April 2, 2023, • Moody Center • Austin, TX on @cbstv."
Fans were thrilled with the news, with one commenting, "That's so cool. usually, it's in Nashville; that's so cool it's in Austin." CMT responded to the post, "ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT." One more fan gushed, "So excited that Carrie will be performing!!"
Ballerini returns to the CMT stage for the third time as co-host on the heels of her busiest year ever. She recently released her critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Subject To Change, and wrapped a sold-out 10-city headlining run. Kelsea is next appearing as part of the historic concert event "The Judds: Love Is Alive - The Final Concert," which tapes live tonight (11/3).
Carrie also posted about her show in Austin on Instagram and captioned a photo dump from the night, "Austin was on last night at the @moodycenteratx !!! Seriously, such a loud, crazy, beautiful crowd!!! Thanks for the love!"
Ballerini commented on that post, "Literally the best show I've ever seen."
The CMT Music Awards may be fan-voted, but we vote for the winners and losers of style on the red carpet. Check out how the stars of country looked tonight in Nashville, Tennessee.
42. Restless Road
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesThe members of Restless Road kept it casual and cool and chose not to wearing matching looks on the red carpet.
41. Gabby Barrett
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTGabby Barrett went back to the 2010's with her leather leggings, thick black belt and strange train.
40. Meghan Linsey
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTThe all velvet sweatsuit and gold bralette seem a bit tacky for the red carpet event.
39. Elvie Shane and Mandi Payton
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTElvie Shane wore shades of maroon while Mandi Payton opted for an all-denim look.
38. Nelly
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTNelly wore a studded leather vest, statement piece ice and grey shredded jeans at the red carpet.
37. Rachel Smith
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesRachel Smith wore a sweet floral mini dress with a high ponytail.
36. Mickey Guyton
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesMickey Guyton kept it classy with a pale, off-white gown with matching white accessories.
35. Jason Aldean, Leslie Fram and Brittany Aldean
Jason Kempin/Getty Images For CMTBrittany Aldean leaves little to the imagination in her skintight zebra-print catsuit.
34. Riley Green and Thomas Rhett
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTThe singers both wore kinda dull white shirts, but we're loving Thomas Rhett's soft mint blazer.
33. Dustin Lynch
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTDustin Lynch kept it country-casual with faded jeans, a light green corduroy jacket, cowboy boots and hat.
32. Anthony Mackie
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTAnthony Mackie is looking blue at the CMTs with his blue-striped suit and light blue shirt.
31. Lainey Wilson
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTLainey Wilson wore a beautiful lace black gown with a high thigh slit.
30. Carly Pearce
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesCarly Pearce wore a glamorous, glimmering green gown.
29. Jillian Cardarelli
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTThe ruffling of this turquoise wrap gown is perfect for spring!
28. Dennis Quaid and Laura Savoie
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesDennis Quaid looking so stylish and edgy at 68! We're loving the actor in leather.
27. Danielle Bradbery
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTWe are loving the simplicity of Danielle's two-piece outfit with a red tube top and cream maxi skirt.
26. Jessie James Decker
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJessie James Decker showed off her rockin' body in this tan bodycon dress.
25. Tenille Arts
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTTenille Arts is wearing all the colors of spring in this fun layered dress.
24. ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Gilligan Stillwater
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTZZ Top's Billy Gibbons is as cool as ever with his embroidered pants.
23. Kane Brown
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesKane Brown wore a rich, deep purple suit with a satin brown shirt peeking through.
22. Miranda Lambert
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTMiranda Lambert wore a sexy, sparkling blue dress for the event with satin pink accessories.
21. Cody Alan
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTCody Alan's bleached blazer is a mesmerizing addition to his outfit!
20. Julia Cole
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJulia Cole rocked a bohemian look on the red carpet, with her tussled blonde waves.
19. Sophia Scott
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesThe color of the season, pink, made a big splash at the CMTs. We're loving the flare of her pants!
18. Maddie Font
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesMaddie Font of Maddie & Tae evoked her inner disco queen in this silver sequined dress.
17. Little Big Town
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTKimberly Schlapman stands out from the rest of her bandmates in her floral dress and rockstar curls.
16. Parmalee
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesOrange was the color scheme the members of Parmalee all perfectly executed to match at the CMTs.
15. Priscilla Block
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesGrinch, but make it fashion. Priscilla Block's sequined suit pulls off this yellow-green color.
14. Carrie Underwood
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesCarrie Underwood sharpened her claws for the CMT Music Awards in this sparkling leopard mini dress.
13. Lily Aldridge
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesLily Aldridge wore a mod sparkling silver dress with her amazing legs at full display.
12. Black Pumas
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesWe are OBSESSED with Eric Burton's yellow-tasseled button down.
11. Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTMaren Morris looks glamorous as always, rocking a glittery crop top and cascading skirt, while Ryan Hurd wore a dusty pink suit.
10. Alecia Davis
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTAlecia Davis matched her fiery red locks with a fiery red suit with some flare!
9. Reyna Roberts
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesReyna Roberts slayed in her jewel-encrusted catsuit at the CMTs.
8. The Judds
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTThe Judds brought all the gltiz and glam to the CMTs from their luscious heads to their toes.
7. Brittney Spencer
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesBrittney Spencer brought all the glam with this glittering gown!
6. Callista Clark
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesCallista Clark brought the '70s vibes with a modern twist with the cutouts in her jumpsuit and cape.
5. LeAnn Rimes
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTLeAnn Rimes is a vision of beauty in this sheer cutout gown.
4. Monica
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTMonica looks so edgy in her leather cutout gown, cropped zip jacket and shades.
3. Gayle King
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesPresenter Gayle King looks fabulous in her sparkling pink jumper paired with a mesh cover-up.
2. MacKenzie Porter
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMTMacKenzie Porter looks like princess royalty but with edge thanks to her surprising soft grey corset and sheer gloves to match.
1. Jenna Paulette
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJenna Paulette wore a decadent shade of chocolate brown with this elegant silk gown with a fun western blazer to match!
