Country music star Kelsea Ballerini delivered a spectacular fashion performance at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, captivating audiences with not one but three striking red outfits throughout Wednesday evening's ceremony.
A Triple Fashion Statement
The 32-year-old songstress, whose ex-boyfriend Chase Stokes recently addressed online trolls, coordinated all her ensembles around a bold red colour scheme. Her fashion journey began on the red carpet where she appeared in a sophisticated strapless Christian Siriano FW25 dress, perfectly complemented by elegant pointy-toe red heels.
For her musical performance later in the evening, Ballerini transformed her look completely. She took to the stage wearing a sparkling dress with delicate thin straps, delivering a heartfelt performance of her song I Sit in Parks while performing barefoot, creating an intimate connection with her audience.
The Dramatic Finale
Perhaps the most talked-about moment came with her third and final outfit - a daring hooded dress that featured an exceptionally low-cut front descending to her midriff. The design revealed modest cleavage while creating a dramatic silhouette that turned heads throughout the Bridgestone Arena.
In an unexpected move, Ballerini documented this final look through an impromptu photoshoot within the arena's bathroom facilities. Posing against the white tiled showers, she showcased the ensemble while wearing stacked bracelets and softer mauve lipstick, having swapped her initial bold red lip colour.
The singer shared her red carpet look with her 4.4 million Instagram followers, captioning the post: 'i sit in parks. i also sit at the @cma awards. and i feel like the luckiest. ❤️' - referencing her song from the Mount Pleasant EP.
Beyond the Fashion: Award Winners and Highlights
While Ballerini's fashion choices generated significant attention, the evening primarily celebrated country music's finest achievements. Vince Gill received the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, honoured after a special tribute performance that acknowledged his substantial contributions to the genre.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern praised Gill in a press release, stating: 'Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for. He's a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe.'
The ceremony featured memorable performances from country music heavyweights including Patty Loveless, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, and Brandi Carlile, keeping the audience entertained throughout the prestigious event.
Major Award Winners
Lainey Wilson emerged as a big winner of the night, taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award while her album Whirlwind claimed Album of the Year honours. She also secured the Female Vocalist of the Year title in a competitive category that included Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert.
Other significant victories included Cody Johnson as Male Vocalist of the Year, The Red Clay Strays for Vocal Group of the Year, and Brooks & Dunn for Vocal Duo of the Year. Zach Top earned the New Artist of the Year award, recognising his rising prominence within the country music scene.
In the collaborative categories, Post Malone and Blake Shelton triumphed with their duet Pour Me a Drink winning Musical Event of the Year, while Ella Langley and Riley Green secured both Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for their track you look like you love me.
The evening also celebrated musical excellence with Paul Franklin receiving the Musician of the Year award for his steel guitar contributions, highlighting the instrumental talent supporting country music's biggest stars.
