Kelsea Ballerini took on solo hosting duties at the 2024 CMT Music Awards in Austin on Sunday, and dressed to impress in a whopping eight ensembles during the star-studded festivities.
The Peter Pan songstress, 30 – who shared a passionate kiss with boyfriend Chase Stokes on the red carpet – also took to the stage to perform a re-imagined version of her debut single, Love Me Like You Mean It.
The beauty kicked off the night with a fun ‘mindreading’ opener involving the Outer Banks actor, 31, and other stars including Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll.
During the skit, she stunned in a sparkling, long-sleeved gown that was made of a sheer material that fell down past her ankles.
Ballerini additionally slipped into a pair of glittering, closed-toed heels and allowed her blonde locks to flow down past her shoulders in light waves.
Kelsea Ballerini, 30, took on solo hosting duties at the 2024 CMT Music Awards in Austin on Sunday, and dressed to impress in various ensembles during the star-studded festivities
Kelsea opted for minimal accessories to allow the outfit to be the main focal point, and added a few chunky rings onto each of her hands.
Her makeup was glammed up for the night, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes.
A warm blush was added to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a glossy nude-colored tint was worn on her lips.
Moments before the fun opener to start the ceremony, Ballerini was seen strutting onto the spacious stage while holding a microphone in her hand.
The audience jumped to their feet to cheer on the songstress, including Chase who could be seen holding a bright smile on his face while supporting his girlfriend as she took on hosting duties.
At another part during the ceremony, the performer admitted to the crowd that she is ‘still clearly not over Barbie.’
She had a quick outfit change into cowgirl Barbie – which was also one of the costumes Margot Robbie wore in the 2023 film directed by Greta Gerwig.
Kelsea flaunted her toned midriff wearing a sleeveless, hot pink cropped vest that had shiny, star embellishments on the top.
She stunned in a sparkling, long-sleeved gown that was made of a sheer material that fell down past her ankles
Ballerini additionally slipped into a pair of glittering, closed-toed heels and allowed her blonde locks to flow down past her shoulders in light waves
Kelsea opted for minimal accessories to allow the outfit to be the main focal point, and added a few chunky rings onto each of her hands
Her makeup was glammed up for the night, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes
Moments before the fun opener to start the ceremony, Ballerini was seen strutting onto the spacious stage while holding a microphone in her hand
A warm blush was added to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a glossy nude-colored tint was worn on her lips
She had a quick outfit change into cowgirl Barbie – which was also one of the costumes Margot Robbie wore in the 2023 film directed by Greta Gerwig
The singer also donned a pair of matching flared pants while a white cowgirl hat was placed on top of her head.
The long hem of the bottoms concealed the shoes that she had paired with her Barbie-themed ensemble.
Ballerini is no stranger to wearing the costume and notably sported the same outfit for Halloween last year.
While talking to the audience, the beauty said of the movie: ‘I’ve watched it so many times! I need a sequel, and I think I have the perfect idea for it. I want to see country Barbie!’
‘Obviously, it’s between me and Dolly Parton for the lead, because we’re both blonde and sing country music,’ she jokingly added.
In between more awards presentations, Kelsea donned a semi-sheer, bejeweled outfit that comprised of a sleeveless top as well as fitted, matching trousers.
The material was embroidered with a green and blue, sequin patterns that sparkled underneath the bright stage lights.
The shirt also clung to her frame and contained a scooped neckline on the front and was easily held up with thick straps that wrapped around her shoulders.
Kelsea flaunted her toned midriff wearing a sleeveless, hot pink cropped best that had star embellishments on the top
The long hem of the bottoms concealed the shoes that she had paired with her Barbie-themed ensemble
Ballerini is no stranger to wearing the costume and notably sported the outfit for Halloween last year
While talking to the audience, the beauty said of the movie: ‘I’ve watched it so many times! I need a sequel, and I think I have the perfect idea for it. I want to see country Barbie!’
The material was embroidered with a green and blue, sequin patterns that sparkled underneath the bright stage lights
She donned a silver necklace as well as dangly earrings and flashy rings to accessorize the look
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She donned a silver necklace as well as dangly earrings and flashy rings to accessorize the look.
Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down behind her back in natural waves.
At one point while addressing the crowd on the stage, she was joined by Melissa Etheridge and the duo belted out some lyrcis together. Afterwards, the pair happily posed backstage together at the arena.
Ballerini was also seen affectionately sitting on her boyfriend’s lap as they rested backstage during the lighthearted festivities.
Elsewhere in the show, the star put on a radiant display in a figure-hugging, yellow dress that contained a thigh-high slit on the left side.
Kelsea also wore a pair of closed-toed, shiny gold heels and opted for large, dangly earrings and a few gold rings.
Her hair was also styled a bit different with her blonde locks parted to the side and pulled back into a low braid.
She added a bold, reddish tint to her lips which stood out against the yellow color of her gown.
At one point while addressing the crowd on the stage, she was joined by Melissa Etheridge and the duo belted out some lyrcis together. Afterwards, the pair happily posed backstage together at the arena
Ballerini was also seen affectionately sitting on her boyfriend’s lap as they rested backstage during the lighthearted festivities
Elsewhere in the show, the star put on a radiant display in a figure-hugging, yellow dress that contained a thigh-high slit on the left side
Kelsea also wore a pair of closed-toed, shiny gold heels and opted for large, dangly earrings and a few gold rings
Her hair was also styled a bit different with her blonde locks parted to the side and pulled back into a low braid
She later cut a casual figure in a pair of light gray, loose-fitting trousers that were held up with a thin, black belt that wrapped around her waist
Ballerini decked out the look with turquoise necklaces as well as dazzling, silver-hooped earrings. Chunky bracelets were also placed on each of her wrists for a final touch
She also slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps that had rhinestone embellishments towards the pointed front
She later cut a casual figure in a pair of light gray, loose-fitting trousers that were held up with a thin, black belt that wrapped around her waist.
The Miss Me More singer also wore a printed top that had the words, ‘This shirt saves lives,’ in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
She also slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps that had rhinestone embellishments towards the pointed front.
Ballerini decked out the look with turquoise necklaces as well as dazzling, silver-hooped earrings. Chunky bracelets were also placed on each of her wrists for a final touch.
Kelsea later flaunted her figure as she performed a re-imagined version of her debut single titled Love Me Like You Mean It.
She donned a long-sleeved, dark gold bodysuit that sparkled under the lights and also wore a pair of sheer, black tights underneath.
The songstress sported black heels that were secured with thin straps that wrapped around her ankles.
Her locks were combed back into a sleek up do, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face.
Kelsea later flaunted her figure as she performed a re-imagined version of her debut single titled Love Me Like You Mean It
She donned a long-sleeved, dark gold bodysuit that sparkled under the lights and also wore a pair of sheer, black tights underneath
Ballerini had the chance to embrace her edgy side in an off-the-shoulder, black leather jacket that was secured with a belt that was tightly wrapped around her waist
The singer also wore a matching mini skirt that had an asymmetrical hem that stopped inches above her knees
And after stepping onto the stage in the outfit, she was joined by Cody Johnson as the two addressed the live audience
Ballerini had the chance to embrace her edgy side in an off-the-shoulder, black leather jacket that was secured with a belt that was tightly wrapped around her waist.
The singer also wore a matching mini skirt that had an asymmetrical hem that stopped inches above her knees.
While spending time backstage, she briefly opted for comfort by slipping into a pair of soft, beige slippers.
And after stepping onto the stage in the outfit, she was joined by Cody Johnson as the two addressed the live audience.
Kelsea put on a leggy display for her last outfit of the night which was a white blazer dress that contained feathery embellishments.
The singer wore a pair of closed-toed, bedazzled white pumps that were secured with sparkling straps around her ankles.
Kelsea put on a leggy display for her last outfit of the night which was a white blazer dress that contained feathery embellishments
The singer wore a pair of closed-toed, bedazzled white pumps that were secured with sparkling straps around her ankles
She opted for a pair of dangly, silver earrings as well as a silver ring that was placed on her right hand
Her blonde hair was parted to the side, and fell down to brush past her shoulders
She opted for a pair of dangly, silver earrings as well as a silver ring that was placed on her right hand. Her blonde hair was parted to the side, and fell down to brush past her shoulders.
Kelsea received three CMT nominations, such as Video of the Year and also CMT Performance of the Year for the track, If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).
While recently talking to Billboard, Ballerini also recalled attending the CMT Music Awards when she was just a child – adding how hosting for the fourth time was a ‘full-circle’ moment.
‘As a fan, it was one of the craziest moments of my life, so it feels very full-circle to go from the kid outside the barricade to being the host of the show. That’s not lost on me and I’m very excited to be here.’