Shania Twain, at 60 years old, appeared remarkably youthful as she took on hosting duties for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday. The Canadian singer-songwriter captivated audiences with her slender figure and a series of costume changes throughout the evening, ultimately showcasing five distinct ensembles as country music's biggest stars gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The event featured performances from contemporary superstars including Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, and Miranda Lambert, among others. Twain made a striking entrance on the red carpet in a sparkling off-the-shoulder gown covered in silver sequins arranged in leaf-like patterns resembling a tree canopy, hovering above a large black cat stalking across her floor-length skirt. The dark cat, accented with sequins, appeared to slink through vegetation made of more silver sequins. She added an edgy touch with black leather gloves reaching nearly to her shoulders, secured by large silver buttons. Her lustrous chestnut hair was styled with bangs and thick waves cascading down her shoulders.
Twain contrasted sharply with Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside, who wore gray-blue chinos and a navy blue sport coat. Later, she appeared on stage in a glamorous golden gown also decorated with sequins. The semi-sheer dress featured a large cutout showcasing her fit legs, with striped ridges swirling from her waist and shoulders. She wore open-toe platform heels with golden metallic straps and added new curls to her hair.
Throughout the broadcast, Twain excelled at revealing outfits that technically kept her covered. She wore a white dress with floral embroidery, long sleeves, and a floor-length skirt with a small train, but the semi-sheer design revealed hints of flesh between the flowers. A high slit put her trim legs on display, accessorized with dangling earrings and gleaming bracelets. For a darker floral look, she joined Shaboozey on stage to wish Willie Nelson a happy 93rd birthday with a sing-along of "Happy Birthday." Her sheer black dress featured colorful floral embroidery on one hip, half her chest, and one wrist, complementing Shaboozey's dark jeans and black leather duster.
Twain's most conservative look was a black dress with a long satin skirt with turned-down flaps at the waist, as if she were stripping out of it. The bodice was semi-sheer black fabric decorated with rhinestones and sequins, with a contrasting white bib and collar. The dress also featured a slit, and she wore platform heels. The 2026 ACM Awards winners included Ella Langley with five awards, including Female Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Choosin' Texas." Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year.
