While Miranda Lambert noted that she “needed a bright spot this year” during her 2015 Country Music Association Awards acceptance speech for Female Vocalist of the Year, her ex-husband, Blake Shelton, is having the time of his life.
Following the Nov. 4 awards show, Shelton, 39, tweeted, “Awesome night tonight. So many great things happening in my life. Congrats to @ChrisStapleton!!!! Long time coming brother…”
Though he lost to Stapleton in the Male Vocalist of the Year category, Shelton still had cause to celebrate.
Less than two hours before the start of the CMA Awards, Gwen Stefani’s rep exclusively confirmed to Us Weekly that The Voice coaches are officially dating.
“Gwen and Blake are longtime friends who have very recently started dating,” a spokesperson for the No Doubt singer, 46, told Us.
The news broke just as the newly divorced Lambert, 31, and Shelton took to the CMAs red carpet for their first solo awards show in years. The awkward tension was acknowledged during co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s opening monologue.
After talking about the painful breakup of Kermit and Miss Piggy, Paisley quipped, “On an unrelated note, howdy, Blake!” and the camera cut to a laughing Shelton.
Lambert still had a reason to enjoy the night. Her performance of “Bathroom Sink” was well received, and she took home the CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year. Ultimately, she lost Entertainer of the Year to Luke Bryan, but looked thrilled for her longtime pal.
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