Watch Chase Stokes Dance and Sing Along to Girlfriend Kelsea Ballerini's CMT Music Awards Performance

slain at the Nashville Covenant School shooting last Monday and recounted her own experience of being in a school shooting in Knoxville, Tennessee.“The community of sorrow over this and the 130 mass shootings in the U.S. this year alone stretches from coast to coast,” the 29-year-old singer said.“I wanted to personally stand up here and share this moment because on Aug.

Making a statement — or two. Kelsea Ballerini did more than just host the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2.

Iconic!!

Chase Stokes was one proud boyfriend during Sunday night’s 2023 CMT Music Awards.

Kelsea Ballerini made her feelings about the Tennessee drag ban known during her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards Sunday.

A true Texas telecast. The 2023 CMT Awards were held in Austin, Texas for the first time, and the ceremony got a warm welcome from Matthew McConaughey, who made a surprise appearance on the Sunday, April 2 CBS show.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards airs live on CBS and is streaming on Paramount+. For more coverage of the big event, including all of the night's winners, keep checking back with ETonline.

Alanis Morissette is using Sunday's 2023 CMT Music Awards as a networking event for female country stars, she told ET from the red carpet. «I love the sisterhood,» Morissette told ET's Cassie DiLaura before heading into the show. During the ceremony, she'll make her CMT debut with a performance of  «You Oughta Know» alongside Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade.

Kelsea Ballerini made her feelings about the Tennessee drag ban known during her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards Sunday.Ballerini, who also served as the night's co-host, transported the audience backyard barbecue in the '60s, where she was surrounded by a bevy of drag queens while belting out her hit, «If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too).»The group served as Ballerini's backup dancers, while the singer sang and strummed along on a pink guitar. After throwing her long, green coat to the side, Ballerini showed off a yellow two-piece, which she strutted her stuff in while the drag queens followed behind — all dressed in their best '60s-inspired wears.The performance ended with a flutter of confetti that was illuminated with rainbow stage lights, which made Ballerini's stance loud and clear.ET spoke to the drag queens — Kennedy Davenport, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport and Oliva Lux — that performed alongside the «Penthouse» singer, who shared the importance of taking the stage with Ballerini.«Just like all these amazing country music artists, we drag queens are also artists.

She’s all that! Kelsea Ballerini didn’t only slay as cohost of the 2023 CMT Music Awards, but she served stellar looks too.

Date night at the CMT Music Awards! Several stars brought dates to the red carpet in Austin on Sunday, April 2, including both cohosts, Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini.

Country music stars focused on fashion while walking the red carpet ahead of the 2023 CMT Music Awards Sunday in Austin, Texas. Kelsea Ballerini wore Dolce & Gabbana to make her red carpet debut with boyfriend Chase Stokes before hosting the show.

Alanis Morissette is about to take over the 2023 CMT Music Awards with an epic performance!

the mass school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.On Sunday, several stars in attendance at the awards show wore black ribbons to honor the victims from Monday's mass shooting at the Nashville, Tennessee private school. The shooting, which marked Tennessee's deadliest mass shooting in history, left three children and three adults dead, in addition to the shooter.«You know why it is important? Today is Psalm Sunday and I'm a very religious person and what better way to honor them and support them,» Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant tells ET about the band's decision to wear ribbons on the red carpet. «Everybody say prayers for the family.

Kelsea Ballerini opened the 2023 CMT Music Awards with a call to action regarding last week's shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, also telling audiences she is the survivor of a 2008 school shooting in the same state. «On March 27, 2023, three 9-year-olds -- Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs -- along with Dr. Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak and Mike Hill walked into Covenant School and didn't walk out,» Ballerini began the CMT broadcast.«The community of sorrow over this and the 130 mass shootings in the U.S.

Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini celebrated the women of country music at the 2023 CMT Music Awards!In their opening monologue, the co-hosts took the time to highlight the biggest female stars in the room. «Shania Twain is in the building,» Brown said. «My queen!» Ballerini said. «Honestly it really is my dream lineup.

Paying tribute. Kelsea Ballerini honored victims of the Nashville, Tennessee, Covenant School shooting at the start of the 2023 CMT Awards on Sunday, April 2.

Carrie Underwood looked stunning at the 2023 CMT Music Awards!The country star — who reigns as the most-awarded artist in CMT history — walked the red carpet in a sparkly two-piece fit that showed off her toned legs.The entire look was bedazzled, from the cropped coat, which featured an epic train, to Underwood's dazzling shorts. The  singer opted to let the outfit do the talking, wearing her long, blonde locks in a low ponytail.

A major milestone! Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes were all smiles during their red carpet debut at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2.