Hottest Couples on the 2022 ACM Awards Red Carpet: Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd and More

Morgan Wallen won Album Of The Year at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards (March 7) a year after he was suspended by his record label for using a racial slur.Wallen sparked controversy back in February 2021 after footage of him yelling a racial slur outside his home in Nashville surfaced. After issuing an apology, he was subsequently dropped by a number of radio stations and temporarily suspended from his label, Big Loud.Wallen was also barred from attending and being nominated at last year’s ACM Awards, while he was banned from attending November’s CMA Awards despite being nominated.Despite this, sales of Wallen’s album ‘Dangerous’ surged in the US and he maintained the Number One spot on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart in the US for a record-breaking 10 weeks.Wallen’s January 2021-released ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’, which was released via Big Loud and Republic Records, won Album Of The Year at last night’s ceremony at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.And ACM Album of the Year goes to… Dangerous: The Double Album by @MorganWallen! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/4AcbMY0Zyf— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) March 8, 2022Wallen did not address the racism controversy directly during his acceptance speech at the ACM Awards, but he did thank those who had “shown me grace along the way”.While Wallen’s victory in the category was celebrated by his fans, the ACM Awards was also criticised online for their decision to award the singer with the honour.

2022 Academy of Country Music Awards aired live from Las Vegas this year at the Allegiant Stadium for a celebration of the biggest names in country music.Hosted by an impressive trio including Country queen Dolly Parton as well as talented rising stars Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, Monday's show featured a slew of incredible performances, some surprising victories and truly touching acceptance speeches.Here's a look at all the highlights from Monday's big show that you'll still be thinking about tomorrow.You can't host Country Music's Party of the Year in Vegas without bringing in @JimmieAllen and @GabbyBarrett_ to perform «Viva Las Vegas» and «Let's Go To Vegas.» Tune in now to the #ACMawards on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/WGJJdrOCVhWith the ACM Awards returning to Las Vegas, it only made sense that Allen and Barrett would kick things off with a celebration of the party city.

2022 Academy of Country Music Awards saw the likes of Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton picking up coveted trophies, and performances from Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson.MORE: Kelly Clarkson stuns in bodycon dress during Dolly Parton tribute at ACM AwardsThe ceremony took place on Monday 7 March at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, and viewers enjoyed "wall-to-wall" music during the two-hour show, which streamed coast to coast instead of tape-delayed on Amazon Prime in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.WATCH: Dolly Parton kicks off 2022 ACM AwardsCountry music legend Dolly Parton helmed the ceremony and was joined by co-hosts Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen but HELLO! was behind the scenes and below are several fun moments from your favorite stars...MORE: Carrie Underwood wows in leg-lengthening micro shorts at ACM AwardsCountry stars including Tenille Townes spoke to HELLO! and many of them shared that Dolly Parton was their dream collaborator."I really do feel so inspired that Dolly Parton is in the house, anything around her would be a dream come true," Tenille told us, when asked who she would love to perform with, dead or alive.

Miranda Lambert won the biggest prize of the night at the ACM Awards on Monday after being crowned Entertainer of the Year.MORE: Inside country music singers' jaw-dropping homes: Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood + moreBut her joy over finally scooping the coveted title was tinged with sadness as she revealed her heartbreak during an emotional acceptance speech. Miranda was unable to attend the Las Vegas ceremony as she is currently in London, England, for a string of upcoming shows.WATCH: Country music's biggest party hit Las VegasSpeaking to host Dolly Parton via video link from her hotel room, Miranda admitted she was heartbroken to be missing the ceremony for the first time in 17 years."Dolly, oh my gosh, I can't believe it," she said of her win.

Kelly Clarkson had one of the best performances of the night at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards and it was saved for the last few minutes!

Dolly Parton and Kelsea Ballerini are contributing to country music history! The stars performed together during Monday's 57th Academy Country Music Awards in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium.MORE: Inside ACM Awards host Dolly Parton's 56-year marriage to husband she met at 18For her performance with Dolly, Kelsea opted for a brighter look, closer to her country roots. She wore a short, baby blue romper with a banquette neckline, voluminous sleeves, and of course, brown cowboy boots.Dolly wasn't far from the country fashion, clad in a lace-up Western-style yellow top and a cowboy hat.WATCH: Kelly Clarkson to perform Dolly Parton tribute at 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards MORE: Exclusive: ACM Awards nominee Carly Pearce pays heartfelt tribute to 'inspirational' Dolly PartonFans went wild over the performance, fawning over how well the two star's voices melded together.

Chris Stapleton is proving he is seriously dad goals! The country star just revealed his son's epic 13th birthday plans, and it is sure to be an unforgettable night for both of them.MORE: Chris Stapleton proves what a doting dad he is as he talks about his childrenDuring Monday's 57th Academy of Country Music Awards – taking place in Las Vegas and hosted by Dolly Parton – the Tennessee Whiskey singer revealed it wasn't only his wife, Morgane Stapleton, who was with him in attendance. As the singer hit the red carpet to answer questions about his imminent performance during the awards, he confessed there was another special occasion going on in his life.WATCH: The Academy of Country Music Awards has a new home and a new streaming platform - find out all you need to knowMORE: All the show-stopping looks from the 2022 ACM AwardsWhile the Stapleton family is notoriously private and little is known about their five children, he did reveal that one of them is attending Monday's show, and for an extra special reason: to celebrate their thirteenth birthday!The night is set to be an emotional one for Chris, as he announced he will be performing a song in tribute to the horrific 2017 Las Vegas shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. Chris and Morgane with two of their five children, Wayland and AdaThe star has previously expressed just how important – and involved – his family is in his music.

Luke Bryan has driven fans wild as he finally performed his new song, Up, during Monday's 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.MORE: Exclusive: ACM Awards nominee Carly Pearce pays heartfelt tribute to 'inspirational' Dolly PartonLuke teased he would be performing new music for his fans ahead of the awards. He shared a video on his Instagram stories straight from his Las Vegas dressing room, at the city's Allegiant Stadium.

Taking a break to enjoy the music! While presenting two awards at the 2022 ACM Awards, Luke Grimes and Kelsey Asbille didn’t forget to offer a special shoutout to their hit show Yellowstone.

Southern girls stick together! Kelly Clarkson paid homage to Dolly Parton during the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards — and sang her heart out in the process.

Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to Dolly Parton at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas Monday night.A dressed-in-black Clarkson kicked off the tribute with a rendition of Parton's hit, «I Will Always Love You,» made famous in Whitney Houston's .The performance brought the crowd to their feet and nearly brought Parton to tears. The «Jolene» singer, who also served as the night's host, came to the stage to say a few words about the tribute, where she was greeted with a big hug from Clarkson.«I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight,» Parton said while accepting the honor.

The 2022 ACM Awards started off with a dedication to Ukraine.

Cowboy cuties! The men of country music brought out all the stops for the ACM Awards on Monday, March 7. From western wear to black tie tuxedos, the red carpet was filled with a wide range of fabulous fashion. 

The 2022 AMC Awards started off with a dedication to Ukraine.

Dolly Parton looked stunning on Monday night as she arrived at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium to host the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards. Parton wore a sparkly silver and black gown, featuring dramatic fringe sleeves. In addition to her red carpet look, Parton previously told ET that she plans to have five outfit changes throughout the night. «Well, if all goes well I got five planned unless we are really running, you know, close, if I can get in them that fast,» she shared. The 76-year-old country legend is making history at the ACMs as the oldest host in the show's history alongside Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, who will be the youngest host in the show's history at 22.Barrett turned 22 just two days before the annual awards show, breaking the record previously held by Wynonna Judd, who was 22 years and 10 months old in April 1987 when she co-hosted the show. Throughout her impressive career, Parton has earned 13 ACM Awards. In addition to hosting, Parton is also performing with Kelsea Ballerini and previously gushed to ET about working with the country singer. «She is so precious, so sweet and so beautiful,» Parton shared of Ballerini.

HARDY was up for two ACM Awards on Monday night but he revealed to press on the red carpet he's already a winner after scooping $20,000 on the roulette wheel.MORE: Miranda Lambert celebrates five ACM nominations as she goes head to head with Carrie UnderwoodThe singer shared that he was a "tables guy" and that he had "won the most I ever have" the night prior while playing roulette. When asked what he had won, he shared that it was "twenty grand," admitting that he "did a thing" at a casino so they paid him in "$10,000 gambling chips" which couldn't be cashed in "but everything you won was real money so I put it all on black..."WATCH: Get ready for country music's biggest party!Hardy is up for Songwriter of the Year and also Best New Male Artist, which was revealed on Friday to have gone to Parker McCollum.Miranda was on hand to share the news with Parker and Lainey Wilson, who won Best New Female Artist, during a Zoom call days before the ceremony.MORE: Blake Shelton brings fans to tears with emotional messageParker on his call was in shock, sharing: "Are you serious? I'm getting blurry vision right now.

Academy of Country Music Awards returns to Las Vegas for a show that celebrates the best artists in the genre, from Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood to Chris Stapleton and Dolly Parton.MORE: Country music fans go wild for Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert news Miranda has received five Academy of Country Music nominations, including a record-tying 16th Female Artist of the Year nomination, and will vie for the award against Gabby Barrett, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, and Carly Pearce. Miranda is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, where she is credited as an artist and producer, and Video of the Year.WATCH: Get ready for country music's biggest party!Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton are also nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

Dolly Parton looked stunning on Monday night as she arrived at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium to host the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards. Parton wore a sparkly silver and black gown, featuring dramatic fringe sleeves. In addition to her red carpet look, Parton previously told ET that she plans to have five outfit changes throughout the night. «Well, if all goes well I got five planned unless we are really running, you know, close, if I can get in them that fast,» she shared. The 76-year-old country legend is making history at the ACMs as the oldest host in the show's history alongside Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, who will be the youngest host in the show's history at 22.Barrett turned 22 just two days before the annual awards show, breaking the record previously held by Wynonna Judd, who was 22 years and 10 months old in April 1987 when she co-hosted the show. Throughout her impressive career, Parton has earned 13 ACM Awards. In addition to hosting, Parton is also performing with Kelsea Ballerini and previously gushed to ET about working with the country singer. «She is so precious, so sweet and so beautiful,» Parton shared of Ballerini.

Gabby Barrett is co-hosting the ACM Awards this year and she has husband Cade Foehner by her side!