Dolly Parton, 76, dedicates the Country Music Awards to the people of Ukraine – but quips she’d ‘rather pass a kidney stone than make the show political’ – before storming the stage in four outfits
- The country music icon, 76, hosted the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on Monday
- In her opening monologue she asked the crowd to ‘send love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine’
- The singer then set to work presenting and performing on the show, for which she donned four outfits
- Dolly has always insisted that she will not share her political views as you ‘can ruin a career for speaking out’
Dolly Parton wowed in no less than four striking ensembles while hosting the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on Monday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yet rather than making the ceremony about herself, the 76-year-old singer said in her opening monologue that she was dedicating the show to Ukraine, asking people to send their prayers to those affected by Russia’s invasion.
‘I love to laugh, I love to joke, and we’re going to have a good time tonight, but I do want us before we get started with all our fun to take a serious moment,’ she said while on stage.
Shining star: Dolly Parton wowed in no less than four striking ensembles while hosting the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on Monday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas , Nevada
Dolly continued: ‘Now I don’t want to be political and this is not. I’d rather pass a kidney stone than do that, but I want us to send our love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.’
‘So why don’t we just dedicate this entire show to them and pray for peace around this crazy old world?’ she asked the crowd.
Dolly has always made a point not to express her political views, previously saying on the Dolly Parton’s America podcast in 2019: ‘I don’t do politics, I have too many fans on both sides of the fence. Of course, I have my opinion, but I learned years ago to keep my mouth shut about things.’
She added to The Guardian: ‘You can ruin a career for speaking out… Of course, I have my own opinions, but that don’t mean I got to throw them out there, because you’re going to p**s off half the people.’
Show stopper: The country sensation first took the stage in a low-cut glass mosaic skin-tight bodysuit that showed off her ample cleavage, trim waist, and toned legs, as she opened up the show
Beauty: The singer wore her voluminous blonde tresses parted to the side and curled, with side swept bangs framing her face
So after Dolly’s statement on Ukraine, the music icon put her focus firmly back on the show, and set to work parading her incredible ensembles.
She first took the stage in a low-cut glass mosaic skin-tight bodysuit that showed off her ample cleavage, trim waist, and toned legs, as she opened up the show.
The iconic Jolene singer was honored during the ceremony by Kelly Clarkson, who paid tribute to her with a touching performance of I Will Always Love You, which was written and recorded by Dolly in 1973, and made world famous by Whitney Houston’s rendition for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard.
Dolly paired the extravagant outfit with matching silver heels, as well as a bevy of jewels, including sparkling earrings and a large ring on her finger.
The star wore her voluminous blonde tresses parted to the side and curled, with side swept bangs framing her face.
The fabulous trio: The hitmaker was also joined by co-hosts Jimmie Allen, 36, and Gabby Barrett, 22, on stage
Bright: Allen looked stylish in a red Western shirt and black leather pants with red lightning details and a red belt to match
Chic: Barrett looked chic in a sequin black top and black leather pants
As for makeup, she wore a light shade of lilac eyeshadow, black eyeliner, a dash of mascara and a lovely shade of pink lipstick.
The 11-time Grammy Award winning singer added even more flash to her over-the-top outfits with long neon pink nails.
She also wore a lovely low-cut and asymmetrical light yellow gown, with shimmer sequin details throughout, which she paired with open-toe gold heels.
Before her performance, she switched into a trendy long-sleeve yellow suede top, and accessorized the look with a beautiful silver and blue necklace.
All in the details: The 11-time Grammy Award winner added even more flash to her over-the-top outfits with long neon pink nails
Honored: The iconic Jolene songstress was honored during the ceremony by Kelly Clarkson, who paid tribute to her with a touching performance of I Will Always Love You
Dolly also rocked light blue jeans, which were laced together on the sides with a string. For a touch of the wild West the blonde beauty sported a straw cowboy hat atop her head.
The star was also joined by co-hosts Jimmie Allen, 36, and Gabby Barrett, 22, on stage.
Allen looked stylish in a red Western shirt and black leather pants with red lightning details and a red belt to match. He also donned a black cowboy hat atop his head.
Meanwhile Barrett looked stylish in a sequin black top and black leather pants.
Icon: The star looked radiant in a Western inspired light yellow suede top and a cowboy hat as she performed for the audience
Duet: Dolly performed alongside Kelsea Ballerini, 28, strumming on a guitar that featured a stunning rose motif on the body and the shoulder strap
Spring look: Kelsea opted for a light Spring look, wearing a short, baby blue romper with puffy sleeves, and a pair of brown cowboy boots
Dolly performed alongside Kelsea Ballerini, 28, strumming on a guitar that featured a stunning rose motif on the body and the shoulder strap.
Kelsea opted for a light Spring look, wearing a short, baby blue romper with puffy sleeves, and a pair of brown cowboy boots.
They performed the song Big Dreams and Faded Jeans, and created a new record for the show, having 35 minutes of non-stop music.
Dolly also got emotional after Clarkson’s, 39, performance, which was dedicated to her, and said, ‘I know that Whitney is smiling down tonight’ and that she was backstage ‘trying not to cry my eyelashes off and slinging snot in every direction.’
Setting records: They performed the song Big Dreams and Faded Jeans, and created a new record for the show, having 35 minutes of non-stop music
Respect: Ballerini was seen bowing down to the country icon in a gesture of respect and admiration
Earlier in the evening the country star arrived to the blue carpet wearing yet another opulent gown.
It was a dazzling long-sleeve silver, brown, and sequin dress with a black fringe hem at the bottom and on the sleeves.
Always remembering the small details, she accessorized the lovely look with a sweet butterfly clip in her blonde hair.
The star was also seen posing on the blue carpet with Ballerini, who wore a gorgeous low-cut black gown with matching velvet gloves.
Dazzling: Earlier in the evening the country star arrived to the red carpet wearing yet another opulent gown
Sparkling: It was a dazzling long-sleeve silver, brown, and sequin dress with a black fringe hem at the bottom and on the sleeves
Glamorous together: She was also seen posing on the red carpet with Ballerini, who wore a gorgeous low-cut black gown with matching velvet gloves
Enjoying themselves: The two seemed to have a grand time while posing for pictures, as they both broke into a laugh
Accessories: Always remembering the small details, she accessorized the lovely look with a sweet butterfly clip in her blonde hair
Not her first rodeo: Parton has previously hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2000
Having fun: Dolly appeared to have fun on the blue carpet and gave photographers a show as she twirled in her fringe gown
Parton has previously hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2000.
This year’s awards marks the first time viewers can watch the show exclusively via livestream.
It will appear on Amazon.com Inc’s Prime Video in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC WINNERS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert — WINNER
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce — WINNER
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jimmie Allen
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Morgan Wallen
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne — WINNER
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion — WINNER
The Cadillac Three
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tenille Arts
Priscilla Block
Lily Rose
Caitlyn Smith
Lainey Wilson — WINNER
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
HARDY
Walker Hayes
Ryan Hurd
Parker McCollum — WINNER
Elvie Shane
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Tony Brown
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records
Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Matt Dragstrem
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group
Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen — WINNER
Producer: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records
Famous Friends – Chris Young
Producer: Mark Holman, Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Chris DeStefano
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Producers: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Record Company-Label: Vanner Records / RCA Records Nashville
Carrie Underwood, pictured at the CMA Awards in 2021, is up for Entertainer of the Year
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [AWARDED TO ARTIST(S)/PRODUCER(S)/RECORD COMPANY-LABEL(S)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood — WINNER
You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
SONG OF THE YEAR [AWARDED TO SONGWRITER(S)/PUBLISHER(S)/ARTIST(S)]
7 Summers – Morgan Wallen
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
Knowing You – Kenny Chesney
Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson — WINNER
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [AWARDED TO PRODUCER(S)/DIRECTOR(S)/ARTIST(S)]
Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert — WINNER
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [AWARDED TO ARTIST(S)/PRODUCER(S)/RECORD COMPANY-LABEL(S)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Half Of My Hometown – Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde — WINNER
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy — WINNER
Jesse Frasure
Josh Osborne
Nicolle Galyon
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