Kelsea Ballerini co-hosts CMT Awards from home after positive COVID test

Mourning an icon. Celebs from Hollywood to Nashville and beyond are grieving the death of Namoi Judd.

Ramin Karimloo, the male lead of Broadway’s Funny Girl, will be out of the show temporarily after testing positive for Covid just four day’s after the musical revival’s opening night.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterThe CMT Music Awards aired for the first time on CBS and Paramount Plus Monday night, drawing 5.16 million viewers for the live telecast in early Nielsen numbers, which is up 521% from last year’s show on Paramount-owned cable channel CMT.The 5.16 million total viewer tally accounts for both linear ratings on CBA and live streams via television sets for Paramount Plus and other digital CBS platforms. The final Live + Same Day ratings for the 2022 CMT Awards, including out-of-home-viewing, will be released later Tuesday.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe lineup for the 2022 CMA Music Festival has been announced, and it’s easier to single out which mainstream country artists aren’t on the bill than which are. More than 150 names have been revealed for the lineup, from the superstars to the obscure, for a festival that’s returning to business as normal after a two-year time-out for the pandemic.Among the headliners who’ll be taking the stage for four nights of shows at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium June 9-12 are Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Alan Jackson, Carly Pearce, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Parker McCollom, Russell Dickerson, Gabby Barrett and Darius Rucker.The presence of Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean pretty much guarantees a reprise of Monday night’s CMT Award-winning duet “If I DIdn’t Love You” on the big stage; ditto for Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson both being named, and the likelihood of hearing “Never Say Never” again.

The Judds made their triumphant TV return on Monday at this year’s CMT Music Awards. Legendary mother-daughter duo Naomi and Wynonna Judd performed together for their first televised number in over 20 years.

Kelsea Ballerini still participated in the CMT Music Awards on Monday night despite self-isolating with Covid-19. The country music star, who was due to co-host the ceremony with Marvel actor Anthony Mackie, announced hours before the show that she had contracted Covid-19 so could no longer appear in person. While she stayed home and isolated, Kelsea did not bow out of the show altogether.

2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday. This year's awards show saw some of music's brightest stars — including Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Mickey Guyton and more -- come together for one of country music's biggest nights.While last year's show was held in person, this year's event was also a celebration of a return to normality after last year's hybrid and socially distanced performances at venues across Nashville.Hosted by Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini, the show was forced to pivot at the last minute when Ballerini announced Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19.While Ballerini performed some of her duties from home, her co-host from 2021's show, Kane Brown, agreed to step in and host the show alongside Mackie.Despite the change in hosts, the night featured some hilarious moments, and a slew of incredible performances from the multitude of A-list entertainers including Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, The Judds, Keith Urban and Ballerini herself.And CMT’s most decorated artist of all time, Carrie Underwood, delivered a very special all-new performance from the Resorts World Theatre, home of her Las Vegas residency.Here's a look at the most memorable and jaw-dropping musical moments from Monday's big show.A Grand OpeningThis one goes out to all of the wild hearts ❤️

The best date night in Music City! Country music’s hottest couples hit the red carpet at the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde sadly missed out on the best Collaborative Video of the Year award at the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday night.MORE: 2022 CMT Music Awards' best-dressed stars: LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris + moreCarly and Ashley were nominated for their duet, Never Wanted To Be That Girl, but were beaten by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood who scooped the prize for their song, If I Didn't Love You – and Carly had the perfect response to missing out on the accolade.WATCH: CMT Music Awards introduce 2022 performersSpeaking exclusively to HELLO! US, Carly revealed that the category was so tough this year, that anyone was deserving of the award."I think a lot of people put out really great songs in terms of collaborations, so I think that there are plenty of them who deserve [the award] in some form of fashion," she told us ahead of the ceremony.Exclusive: Carly Pearce teases exciting tour update that fans will loveMORE: CMT Music Awards 2022: The most stylish couples on the red carpet"Of course, I don't want to [lose out to one of them] but I would be fine with it," she added. VIEW GALLERY Carly performed at the 2022 CMT Music AwardsCarly looked stunning for the ceremony at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, rocking a beautiful, sparkly green dress with a daring thigh-split.The night saw some incredible performances from some of country music's biggest stars, including Carly who admitted she was "very excited" to be performing by herself.Other performers included Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban, who opened the show.

Power couple! Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd stole the show at the 2022 CMT Music Awards before they even took the stage.

2022 CMT Music Awards have kicked off at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium with the likes of Carly Pearce, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton walking the red carpet.MORE: 2022 CMT Music Awards' best-dressed stars: LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris + moreFans can expect to see some incredible performances from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and none other than Bryan Adams who will be joining Jason Alden live on stage.WATCH: CMT Awards introduce 2022 performersHowever, hours before the show kicked off it was announced there would be one major change - Kelsea Ballerini, who had been set to host with Captain America star Anthony Mackie, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and would instead be virtually performing from her home.Kane Brown has stepped in to join Anthony as host in the auditorium.Carrie is the all-time CMT Awards record holder with an incredible 23, but will she pick up any more tonight? The singer is nominated for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year for her hit single 'If I Didn't Love You' with Jason.Check back for all the winners of the night…Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood – If I Didn’t Love You Kane Brown – One Mississippi Cody Johnson – Til You Can't Kane Brown leads the 2022 nominations Brandi Carlile – Right On Time Gabby Barrett – Footprints On The Moon Kacey Musgraves – justified Maren Morris – Circles Around This Town Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name Miranda Lambert – If I Was A Cowboy Tenille Arts – Back Then, Right NowCody Johnson – 'Til You Can't Eric Church – Heart On Fire Kane Brown – One Mississippi Luke Bryan – Waves Luke Combs – Forever After All Thomas Rhett – Country Again Walker Hayes – Fancy LikeBrothers Osborne – I'm Not For Everyone Dan + Shay –

Gayle King has shared a wonderful tribute to Carly Pearce, revealing that the country singer had paid for her breakfast in Nashville that morning.MORE: 2022 CMT Music Awards' best-dressed stars: LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris + moreSpeaking on the red carpet of the 2022 CMT Music Awards, Gayle revealed that she had texted Carly to ask where to get food as the CBS team had flown in on Monday morning before the big ceremony. They hit local spot Milk and Honey on Carly's recommendation and then when they went to pay were told that the bill had already been covered by "a special Nashville friend, Carly Pearce".WATCH: CMT Awards introduce 2022 performersThey enjoyed "waffles and scrambled eggs," shared Gayle, joking that she later told Carly that "if I knew you were going to pay I wouldn't have eaten everything on the menu".Gayle rocked a stunning hot pink jumpsuit for the Nashville event, which will feature some incredible performances from the likes of Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and none other than Bryan Adams who will be joining Jason Aldean live on stage.Exclusive: Ashley McBryde reveals heartfelt reason she's skipping the 2022 CMT Music AwardsNewer artists Priscilla Block, BRELAND, Jessie James Decker, Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane, and Caitlyn Smith are slated to perform from the Ram Trucks Side Stage.Carrie Underwood will also take part in a live stream from Resorts World Theater, home of her ongoing show Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency.

Kelsea Ballerini announced she'd be hosting the CMT Music Awards from home Monday night after contracting COVID-19. Ballerini shared the news with fans on Instagram. "All right friends, I have some bad news, and I have some good news," Ballerini said in a video.

Cowboy meets couture! Danielle Bradbery and more stars put their spin on country chic while walking the 2022 CMT Music Awards red carpet.