Hottest Couples on the 2023 CMT Music Awards Red Carpet: Kane Brown and Katelyn Jae, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes and More

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.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic During the opening monolog at Sunday night’s CMT Music Awards, broadcast from Austin on CBS, there was a comedic bit in which Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown exchanged anniversary presents to celebrate their cohosting of the show for the third consecutive time. Brown gave Ballerini a cowboy hat, and she reciprocated by giving him a pink hat to put on in return. At least a few audience members shared a joke about the exchange: By wearing pink, would Brown be breaking Tennessee’s recently passed law that some believe would ban most drag performances in the state, if they were back home? Viewers whose minds went there during that silly opening were just kidding — but Ballerini really went there later in the three-hour telecast, when she chose four “RuPaul’s Drag Race” queens to perform with her as she sang “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).” That song, off her 2022 album “Subject to Change,” is Ballerini’s anthem of female friendship — and, with the way the CMT Awards routine played out, she very much seemed to be counting drag performers as among those friends. The performance was playful and ostensibly non-political, and in a different year might not have raised very many shaved or unshaved eyebrows. In spring 2023, it was hard to read it as anything other than a statement of: If drag queens are brought down, the rest of us will be dragged down with them.

The winners are in for the 2023 CMT Music Awards!

The CMT Music Awards 2023 proved to be a big night for Jelly Roll who topped the night as the most-awarded artist taking home three trophies.

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.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic A couple of members of a fresh generation of country music — Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson — came away as the top victors at Sunday night’s CMT Music Awards, broadcast live from Austin for the first time. But the biggest winners may have been CMT and CBS, putting the three-hour telecast on the map as a show packed with enough performance firepower that it does merit having made the move from a cable platform to major broadcast premiere as of last year. However much the official winners may delight a core country crowd happy to see young radio and streaming favorites get rewarded, the big draw for the CBS audience was likely a series of collaborations between country stars and their pop or rock counterparts, as has been the custom for years on the rival CMA Awards. Most notable were the all-female collabs that had Carly Pearce dueting with Gwen Stefani on No Doubt’s “Just a Girl,” or Alanis Morissette trading lines with a slate of young female artists that included Lainey Wilson, Ingrid Andress, Morgan Wade and Madeline Edwards. The all-star teamings spread to those who presented, too, with Megan Thee Stallion providing the most enthusiastic introduction imaginable for “my new besty,” Shania Twain.

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

Everything is bigger in Texas! Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown took home the top honor of Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2.

The winners have been announced at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The show – which was co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown – was held at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Carrie Underwood has blown Us away! The singer commanded attention with an unexpected outfit at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. 

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.

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.

Body-ody-ody! Megan Thee Stallion had all eyes on her at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. 

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.

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes made their adorable red carpet debut! On Sunday, the «Window With a View» singer and the star arrived together at the 2023 CMT Awards — marking their first major public appearance as a couple. Ballerini, who is co-hosting the ceremony alongside Kane Brown — wore a body-hugging corseted dress with pointed heels. It's possible that this isn't the only outfit the 29-year-old musician will wear this evening. Ballerini and Stokes have been linked since January, and she later confirmed their romance on the  podcast.