The Best Dressed Stars At The 2019 ACM Awards
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards were held on Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. Hosted by Reba McEntire, "country music's party of the year" was broadcast live on CBS so country music fans could tune in and see their favorite stars be recognized and awarded for their hard work and contributions to the industry during the past year. As always, red carpet fashion fans like ourselves tuned in to see our favorite country singers bring the glitz and glam to country music's biggest night — and, as always, we weren't disappointed.
Country crooners may have a reputation for being rough and gritty in their music, but these stars know how to dress for an event. The 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards saw your favorite country singers wearing sultry suits, goddess-like gowns, sparkling mini-dresses, and everything in-between. Here's a look at the best dressed stars from the 2019 ACMs.
Miranda Lambert
What a year it's already been for Miranda Lambert! The "Tin Man" songstress revealed some exciting news to fans in February, writing on Instagram, "In honor of Valentine's Day I wanted to share some news. I met the love of my life. And we got hitched! My heart is full. Thank you Brendan McLoughlin for loving me for.... me."
The news came as a shock to fans of Lambert, since the songstress had kept her months-long relationship under-wraps — but the newlywed couple looked undeniably happy and in love as they walked the 2019 ACM red carpet together. The country crooner glowed in a figure-hugging, floor-length, neon green gown, and her police officer husband looked dapper in a classic suit.
Not long after making her red carpet debut with her new beau, Lambert took to the ACM stage to open the show with a performance of some of her greatest hits, shedding her ballgown for a skin-tight, sparkling bodysuit featuring a sultry mid-section cutout and choker neckline. One thing's for sure — this gal knows how to make a statement!
Danielle Bradbery
If you caught a glimpse of Danielle Bradbery walking the red carpet at the 2019 ACM Awards, you might have thought to yourself, "Wait, is that an Aphrodite statue come to life?" No? Well, maybe we're easily confused — but can you blame us? The country star was serving some serious Grecian goddess vibes as she graced the red carpet donning a floor-sweeping maxi dress featuring a plunging neckline and empire waist. The gown's deep teal tone perfectly complemented Bradbery's sun-kissed glow, and the songstress accessorized her summertime-inspired look with a pair of silver hoop earrings and strappy gold sandals.
The "Sway" singer, who released her sophomore album I Don't Believe We've Met in December 2017, was nominated for ACM's New Female Artist of the Year award. While the award ultimately went to newcomer Ashley McBryde, we still believe Bradbery deserves all the trophies for this effortlessly beautiful look that has us craving a warm, sunny day.
Kacey Musgraves
There's no doubt about it — Kacey Musgraves is the new undisputed queen of country music and the red carpet. It seems the "Space Cowboy" singer can't go anywhere these days without winning a handful of awards or being praised for her bold and daring red carpet ensembles. Not a bad problem to have, huh?
Musgraves received two trophies at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards — one for Best Female Artist of the Year, and one for Album of the Year. While the progressive country star topped a group of male nominees for her Album of the Year win, Musgraves was curiously left out of the Entertainer of the Year category — a category which consisted solely of male nominees, despite a strong roster of award-winning country females from which to choose.
Here's hoping the country music will mend the gender gap in the industry sooner than later — but until then, let's admire Musgrave's sherbet ombré red carpet ensemble (rainbow flavored, of course). Musgraves revealed to People, "I love a gradient, I love anything ombré, and anything rainbow, clearly."
Reba McEntire
How do we love Reba McEntire? Let us count the ways! This was McEntire's 16th year hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards — and considering the Queen of Country's reputation for multiple outfit changes in a single evening, we'll let you do the math on how many unforgettable ensembles the famous red-head has donned at the ACMs throughout the years.
The 2019 ACM awards ceremony saw McEntire in at least seven separate outfits — and we loved every single one of them. The "Does He Love You" songstress started the evening by dancing down the red carpet in a flapper-inspired, burgundy gown paired with necklaces galore and some classic cowboy boots. The star's next outfit kept the fringe, but traded the deep burgundy color for a silvery-gold tone and beaded bodice. McEntire continued her hosting duties throughout the evening wearing everything from black leggings and a red leather jacket to an elegant, black velvet evening gown with a sparkling, studded choker neckline.
Maren Morris
Maren Morris proved that sometimes less really is more with her simplistic-yet-elegant red carpet outfit at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. The "Girl" singer glided down the red carpet wearing a sleeveless, lavender gown with a wide, ruffled neckline that complemented the country star's beachy glow and long, blonde locks. Morris' dress, which was the brainchild of mega-popular designer Christian Siriano, featured both a mini-skirt and a long, flowing train — giving a whole new meaning to "business in the front, party in the back!"
As any woman knows, the best dresses are those with pockets — and Morris' lavender dream dress did not disappoint in this department. The 28-year-old songstress made sure to show off those bad boys Alanis Morissette style by keeping one hand in her pocket while she posed for photographers on the red carpet. Morris was joined by her husband Ryan Hurd, who couldn't help but gush over his wife and her performance with Brothers Osbourne to Hollywood Life. "If you would've asked us five years ago, I don't think any of us would've imagined a night like this happening," Hurd dished. "It's really special."
Runaway June
What's red, black, and sparkly all over? Runaway June at the 2019 ACMs!
Seriously, the Runaway June gals deserve an award simply for knowing how to perfectly coordinate their red carpet outfits. Hannah Mulholland, Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne were a sea of red tones, sparkling beaded detail, and floral motifs as they posed for photographers at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. The trio was nominated for the ACM's New Duo or Group of the Year award — and while that trophy ended up going home with LANCO, we have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more of this girl group in the future.
In an interview with Wrangler Network days before the 2019 ACMs commenced, group member Naomi Cooke revealed just how much their nomination meant to the band, saying, "It's everything [...] this award show in itself, in particular, is special because it's voted by all of your peers and everyone in the industry, so it's like a little nod in your way of, like, 'Okay, we see how hard you've been working!' So, it's kind of like a little award on its own."
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood looked absolutely stunning during her first red carpet appearance since giving birth to her second child on January 21, 2019. The "Cry Pretty" songstress stole the show as she posed for photographers wearing a Nicolas Jebran gown featuring diamond detailing and double thigh-high slits — but as flawless as she may have looked, Underwood revealed to Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell that she has her fair share of post-baby body insecurities.
"My body is completely different than when it was a few months ago, and it's always weird, kind of, to come back and [ask] ... do I still have it? Can I still sing? Because I had an obstruction in this area for nine months, and now it's gone," Underwood dished. "It's an adjustment period and it's on the early side of me. [But] it's the ACMs. I had to come. I wanted to perform."
And perform, she did! Underwood took to the ACM stage to sing her song "Southbound" before joining Chrissy Metz, Lauren Alaina, Mickey Guyton, and Maddie & Tae later in the evening for an unforgettable performance of "I'm Standing With You," a song from the upcoming movie, Breakthrough.
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina had a pretty rough go of it in the months leading up to the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. On October 21, 2018, her beloved stepfather passed away after battling stage four melanoma. Just three months later on January 21, 2019, Alaina announced her split from fiancé Alex Hopkins, whom she'd been dating since she was 17-years-old.
On a March 2019 episode of the podcast "All Our Favorite People" (via People), the country singer revealed that she'd entered therapy to help navigate her heartbreak and grief. "I am literally so proud of the person that I am now," Alaina revealed. "I've worked really hard on myself. And I think that we all should do that. We should all care about ourselves as much as we care about other people."
It was a treat to see the former American Idol star all smiles as she walked the red carpet at the 2019 ACMs wearing a gorgeous Emil Couture dress featuring a plunging halter neckline, tied waist, and a tiered gown. "Tonight has been pretty TIERrific so far," Alaina joked on Instagram, proving she's as punny as she is talented.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson rarely disappoints on the red carpet — and her appearance at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards was no exception. The Voice judge and soon-to-be daytime talk show host definitely turned some heads in her all-black, floor-length evening gown featuring padded shoulders, lace detailing, and an intricate, floral design.
While this look definitely screams "superstar," Clarkson took to Twitter during the awards ceremony to hilariously reveal that someone apparently mistook the mega-famous celebrity for an awards show seat-filler.
"The greatest thing by far that happened to me tonight was being asked to move because some guy thought I was a seat filler at the ACMs tonight," Clarkson wrote, adding the hashtag #CantWinEmAll. "It made my night because he was so serious, and I just politely said no!"
We're willing to bet whoever this guy was is kicking himself now, because there's no denying Clarkson's star status. Seriously — does this look like a seat-filler gown to you? We didn't think so.