The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards took over the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17. The style memo was loud and clear. Country fashion traded its traditional denim roots for straight Vegas glitz. Streaming live exclusively on Prime Video, the event saw the genre’s biggest names step out in high-fashion looks that aggressively pushed the boundaries of standard Nashville attire.
Lainey Wilson threw fans for a loop right away. She ditched her signature bell-bottoms and cowboy hat entirely, stepping in front of the cameras in a fringed red-orange gown paired with delicate gold drop earrings. Shania Twain commanded just as much attention. Taking on sole hosting duties for the first time in the show’s history, Twain arrived in a striking gown emblazoned with a bold black panther graphic before rotating through several outfit changes, including an ultra-glam gold dress.
The metallic energy stayed strong throughout the night. Kelsea Ballerini opted for a golden mermaid-style look, while Ella Langley rotated through designer pieces from Pamella Roland and Dolce & Gabbana. Miranda Lambert arrived dripping in rhinestones just hours before taking the stage to perform her new track “Crisco.”
The men leaned into the casual glam just as hard. Kane Brown walked the carpet in a sleeveless ensemble, while Keith Urban kept things highly relaxed in white pants and sneakers. But the most discussed detail of the pre-show was a complete absence, as Megan Moroney skipped the carpet entirely despite tying for a leading nine nominations.