Kelsea Ballerini Tests Positive For COVID-19 Days Before Hosting CMT Awards: ‘I’m Gutted’

Monica isn’t standing for racist attacks.

Kelsea Ballerini may have been stuck at home but she still put on quite a show.

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.

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.

Kelsea Ballerini, who tested positive for COVID-19 days before Monday’s show.Ballerini’s co-host, actor Anthony Mackie, took the stage alone at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville after opening performances on the live CBS telecast of the single “Wild Hearts” by Keith Urban and the duet “Never Say Never” by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson.“I know all of you were looking forward to seeing Kelsea Ballerini out here tonight on the stage, but she’s a little under the weather,” the “Avengers” actor Mackie said. “But just like the NFL has backup QBs, here at the CMA Awards, we have backup KBs.”He then brought out his substitute “KB,” singer Kane Brown, who was summoned to help with hosting duties.

Chris Willman Music WriterJason Aldean and Carrie Underwood came out on top of “The CMT Music Awards” in the show’s broadcast premiere on CBS, picking up the top honor for video of the year, which was voted upon by fans during the three-hour telecast. The pair also picked up an additional trophy for their song “If I Didn’t Love You,” for collaborative video of the year.Cody Johnson was Monday night’s other two-time winner, picking up male video of the year for “‘Til You Can’t” and an award for a CMT digital performance.Miranda Lambert, who just walked away with an Academy of Country Music Award for entertainer of the year last month, had more reason to celebrate at the CMTs, as she won for female video of the year for “If I Was a Cowboy.” Maddie & Tae were surprise winners for duo/group, for “Woman You Got,” and Parker McCollom claimed breakthrough video with his hit “To Be Loved by You.”The show was co-hosted by actor Anthony Mackie, last-minute draftee Kane Brown and — gamely appearing from her living room and backyard, due to a positive COVID test two days earlier — Kelsea Ballerini.“Seventeen years in the game and this is the first time I’ve ever won video of the year,” said Aldean, who has waited his turn for a major country awards honor, having been passed over plenty of times by the CMAs and ACMs — and even, as he said, CMTs — despite his country superstar status.

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 ❤️

Country cutie! Kelsea Ballerini stepped up to the plate cohosting the 2022 CMT Music Awards — and her awards show fashion was equally as showstopping.

Kelsea Ballerini can’t be at the 2022 CMT Music Awards after testing positive for COVID-19, but that’s not stopping her from celebrating!

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 –

Music City is coming to your living room! The 2022 CMT Music Awards will airs live from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 11, and every major country star is going to be there.

The show is about the begin at the 2022 CMT Music Awards and it’s time to take a look at the celebs hitting the stage throughout the show!

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.

CMT Music Awards return tonight, April 11. Country music's only fan-voted awards show broadcasts live from Nashville's Municipal Auditorium (as well as several other Nashville hot spots) in an action-packed show you won't want to miss.Hosted by country powerhouse Kelsea Ballerini and Marvel star Anthony Mackie, the show's inaugural broadcast on CBS will feature performances from a lineup of country music's heaviest hitters including Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, and show closer Kenny Chesney.

Making lemonade out of lemons. Kelsea Ballerini will host the 2022 CMT Music Awards from home after testing positive for COVID-19.

Kelsea Ballerini is shifting her hosting duties to remote for Monday's 2022 CMT Music Awards after testing positive for COVID-19.«CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, she is asymptomatic and remains excited to co-host the show (remotely),» a CMT spokesperson told ET in a statement. “Kelsea’s good friend, Kane Brown, who co-hosted with her last year, has graciously agreed to step in alongside Anthony Mackie.

Instagram. “I am devastated.

Kelsea Ballerini, the singer-songwriter tapped to co-host tonight’s CMT Music Awards, announced this morning that she’ll perform her duties from home after testing positive for Covid two days ago.