The Academy of Country Music Awards, which took place in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, was filled with foot-tapping music, inspiring comebacks, and more fun than could possibly fit in a TV broadcast. Keep reading to see what stars such as Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Reba McEntire were up to behind the scenes.
Credit: John Shearer/ACMA2018/Getty Images for ACM
The Academy of Country Music Awards, which took place in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, was filled with foot-tapping music, inspiring comebacks, and more fun than could possibly fit in a TV broadcast. Keep reading to see what stars such as Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Reba McEntire were up to behind the scenes.
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Carrie Underwood made a glorious return for her first performance since suffering a scary fall at her home in November. The Vocal Event of the Year winner glowed backstage as a helping hand held her plunging gown’s delicate train.
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2018/FilmMagic for ACM
Blake Shelton and girlfriend Gwen Stefani cuddled up on the front row, placing their hands on each other’s laps. The “Make Me Like You” singer adorably sang along as her beau took the stage to perform his hit single “I Lived It” later in the night.
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2018/FilmMagic for ACM
The Talk cohost Eve posed for a photo with fellow presenters David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot and A.J. Buckley, who star on the CBS series SEAL Team.
Credit: Denise Truscello/ACMA2018/Getty Images for ACM
Ashton Kutcher — who gave his neighbor Keith Urban a shout-out when the actor presented the country crooner with the Vocal Event of the Year award — stopped to take a photo with Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean and nominee Thomas Rhett.
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Aldean shared a loving moment with his wife, Brittany Kerr Aldean, after he won in the Entertainer of the Year category. The couple welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Memphis, in December.
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If you thought Stefani would feel out of place at a country music awards show, think again. The star, clearly enjoying herself, flashed a big smile backstage.
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Kelly Clarkson cozied up to Reba McEntire after the duo performed an effortless rendition of the host’s 1993 hit “Does He Love You.”
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Award show MVPs Urban and Nicole Kidman shared a snuggle in the front row as they danced and sang along to song after song.
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Olympian Lindsey Vonn, presenter of the Female Vocalist of the Year award, took a quick pic with Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean in between performances.
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Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert — who broke the record for most-awarded artist in ACM history by winning her 30th — beamed alongside Julia Michaels, who performed “Coming Home” with Urban during the broadcast.
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Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman took a selfie with her husband, Stephen Schlapman, but forgot to look at the camera. But she rocked the group’s performance of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”
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Newlyweds Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd — they tied the knot on March 24 — enjoyed their first public appearance as a married couple. The singer kicked off the evening with a rousing performance of her new single “Rich.”
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Aldean mentioned the aftermath of the deadly Las Vegas shooting in his Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech. “It’s been a rough year,” he said. “I just want to say thanks to everybody who reached out to us, that showed us love and support over the last six months. It meant the world to us.” Fifty-eight people died when a gunman fired into a crowd at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in October.
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Rhett, a nominee in four categories including Album of the Year, got a brotherly embrace from fellow country crooner Jake Owen.
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Kelsea Ballerini looked all loved up with husband Morgan Evans, whom she wed in December. The Female Vocalist of the Year nominee also performed her catchy single “I Hate Love Songs” for the crowd.
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Presenter Rebecca Romijn walked arm in arm with husband Jerry O’Connell, with whom she shares 9-year-old twin daughters Dolly and Charlie.
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2018/FilmMagic for ACM
Two of country music’s hottest couples, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins and Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, giggled while taking in the 53rd annual telecast.
Credit: Denise Truscello/ACMA2018/Getty Images for ACM
Singer Kaylin Marie Roberson blew kisses with WWE stars Mickie James, Becky Lynch and Lana.
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