Kelsea Ballerini Tests Positive for COVID, Will Go Remote as CMT Awards Host; Kane Brown Steps In as Co-Host

White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said on Friday that she had tested positive for Covid.

Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19.

Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for Covid, the White House said on Tuesday.

Barry Manilow‘s musical, “Harmony”, has just been dealt a major setback. The 78-year-old singer revealed that he has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to miss the show’s opening night in New York City — something he said he’s been waiting for for 25 years.

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.

Country star and actress Faith Hill was joined by her on-screen daughter in the Paramount Plus streaming series 1883 to present the final award at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. The 54-year-old Hill and 21-year-old May play Margaret Dutton and Elsa Dutton in the series, a prequel to Paramount Plus' Yellowstone. Hill and May reunited on stage at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on Monday evening to present the biggest award of the night - Video of the Year, which was won by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood for If I Didn't Love You.

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.

Anderson Cooper has tested positive for COVID-19. The CNN anchor took to his Instagram Story Monday night to share the news. «Just tested positive for COVID,» Cooper wrote alongside a photo of him at home, in bed.

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 ❤️

Anderson Cooper missed his CNN program tonight after saying on social media that he has tested positive for Covid.

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.

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 –

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.

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.