Carrie Underwood pulled out all the stops on Monday when she soared above the audience at the 2022 CMT Music Awards ceremony in Nashville.
The 39-year-old country music icon had all eyes on her as she levitated above the stage with a troupe of dancers to pull off a delicate aerial dance to her single Ghost Story, from her upcoming album Denim & Rhinestones.
She led a bevy of catchy performances from other country stars, including Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Maren Morris, Little Big Town and more.
Flying high: Carrie Underwood pulled out all the stops on Monday when she soared above the audience at the 2022 CMT Music Awards ceremony in Nashville. The 39-year-old country music icon had all eyes on her as she levitated above the stage with a troupe of dancers to pull off a delicate aerial dance to her single Ghost Story
Carrie lit up the CMT’s first hour with her purple-bathed performance, which was introduce by co-host Kelsea Ballerini from her home, as she had to present remotely after testing positive for Covid-19.
As massive doors on stage opened to reveal the stage setup, the former American Idol star was seen standing atop a raised platform.
She was dressed in a sheer lavender bodysuit that left one toned leg exposed, while featuring a voluminous train trailing behind her.
The suit also had only one sleeve, and it featured frilly embellishments on Carrie’s collar.
Center stage: As massive doors on stage opened to reveal the stage setup, the former American Idol star was seen standing atop a raised platform
Colorful: She was dressed in a sheer lavender bodysuit that left one toned leg exposed, while featuring a voluminous train trailing behind her
Halfway through the songs, aerial dancers suspended from white ropes descended from the rafters, showing off their graceful moves while Carrie continued to sing.
As Ghost Story reached its powerful climax, another white rope dropped down to the stage behind her, which Carrie tucked under her arms.
She continued singing just as strongly, even as she twisted her legs in the ropes and was pulled high above the stage, though it wasn’t clear if she was singing live or was merely lip syncing to a pre-recorded track.
Up and away: Halfway through the songs, aerial dancers suspended from white ropes descended from the rafters, showing off their graceful moves while Carrie continued to sing. As Ghost Story reached its powerful climax, another white rope dropped down to the stage behind her, which Carrie tucked under her arms
Powerful pipes: She continued singing just as strongly, even as she twisted her legs in the ropes and was pulled high above the stage, though it wasn’t clear if she was singing live or was merely lip syncing to a pre-recorded track
Keith Urban kicked off the CMT Awards on a high note with his 2021 single Wild Hearts.
The country rockers was dressed in a casual black T-shirt and dark ripped jeans as he shredded on his weathered gold top Gibson Les Paul guitar.
He strutted down a platform into the middle of the audience halfway through the song to rip a guitar solo in front of adoring fans.
Behind him, the song’s title was spelled out in neon letters, along with illustrations of Johnny Cash, who was referenced in the lyrics.
Low key: Keith Urban kicked off the CMT Awards on a high note with his 2021 single Wild Hearts. The country rockers was dressed in a casual black T-shirt and dark ripped jeans
Guitar hero: He strutted down a platform into the middle of the audience halfway through the song to rip a guitar solo in front of adoring fans. He was rocking out on a classic gold top Gibson Les Paul guitar, with some chips in the varnish
Marquee: Behind him, the song’s title was spelled out in neon letters, along with illustrations of Johnny Cash, who was referenced in the lyrics
Carly Pearce capped off the first half-hour of the CMT Awards with her song Diamondback, which is the lead track on her 2021 album 29: Written In Stone and was co-written by Kelsea Ballerini.
The singer–songwriter skipped the theatrics and let the tune’s chugging rhythm get feet tapping and heads bobbing.
Carly showcased her legs with her white mini dress, which was serpentine gold designs and featured long gold fringe on the sleeves.
She wore her blond locks parted down the middle, with her thick curls cascading down her shoulders.
Woman in white: Carly Pearce capped off the first half-hour of the CMT Awards with her song Diamondback, which is the lead track on her 2021 album 29: Written In Stone and was co-written by Kelsea Ballerini
No flash: The singer–songwriter skipped the theatrics and let the tune’s chugging rhythm get feet tapping and heads bobbing
Woman in white: Carly showcased her legs with her white mini dress, which was serpentine gold designs and featured long gold fringe on the sleeves. She wore her blond locks parted down the middle, with her thick curls cascading down her shoulders
Maren Morris got some help on stage by her husband Ryan Hurd, as they performed a duet of her song I Can’t Love You Anymore, which was released on her album Humble Quest in March.
The songstress put on a busty display in a plunging sheer brown dress with a glittering butterfly over her midriff.
She added a stylish 1970s feel with her long blond hair and her parted bangs.
Ryan looked rugged in a denim shirt and paint-splattered gray jeans as she strummed an acoustic guitar.
As the song concluded, the lovebirds held hands and gazed sweetly into each other’s eyes.
It takes two: Maren Morris got some help on stage by her husband Ryan Hurd, as they performed a duet of her song I Can’t Love You Anymore, which was released on her album Humble Quest in March
Stunning: The songstress put on a busty display in a plunging sheer brown dress with a glittering butterfly over her midriff. She added a stylish 1970s feel with her long blond hair and her parted bangs
Complementary: Ryan looked rugged in a denim shirt and paint-splattered gray jeans as she strummed an acoustic guitar
Too cute: As the song concluded, the lovebirds held hands and gazed sweetly into each other’s eyes
Jimmie Allen also got some help with his song Pray.
The country singer was joined by the R&B singer Monica, along with country mainstays Little Big Town.
He opened the performance on an upright piano while dressed in an over-the-top white lizard-print suit and matching cowboy hat.
After his emotional intro, the song took off when Monica took over on vocals. She wore a white sweater top with an intriguing harness and billowing slacks, along with a white blazer with feathered sleeves that was draped over her shoulders.
They were joined by Little Big Town, whose members served as a chorus while Jimmie and Monica sang lead.
Kimberly Schlapman wore a frilly plunging white dress, while Karen Fairchild was covered in long white fringe. Jimi Westbrook had on a white suit, but Philip Sweet was more low key with a white denim jacket.
All together: Jimmie Allen also got some help with his song Pray. The country singer was joined by the R&B singer Monica, along with Little Big Town. He opened the performance on an upright piano while dressed in an over-the-top white lizard-print suit and matching cowboy hat
Change of pace: The song took off when Monica took over on vocals. She wore a white sweater top with an intriguing harness and billowing slacks, along with a white blazer with feathered sleeves that was draped over her shoulders
Angelic chorus: They were joined by Little Big Town, whose members served as a chorus while Jimmie and Monica sang lead. Kimberly Schlapman wore a frilly plunging white dress, while Karen Fairchild was covered in long white fringe. Jimi Westbrook had on a white suit, but Philip Sweet was more low key with a white denim jacket
