Jaw, dropped. Host Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, hit the red carpet at the 50th CMA Awards in Nashville wearing no less than $28 million worth of jewelry — including one 20-carat yellow diamond they’ll be sharing throughout the night.
The Father of the Bride actress, 45, stepped onto the carpet iced with multiple Johnathon Arndt pieces, including 22-carat diamond stud earrings, a 16-carat diamond ring and one beyond-fabulous necklace anchored by that yellow diamond. The canary stunner, named the “Heart of the South,” hangs at the center of the necklace surrounded by 42 carats of brilliant white diamonds in round, pear and marquise cuts.
But it won’t be long for Kimberly’s neck! Stylish can confirm that the “Heart of the South” will make two more appearances during the night. First, the stone, which is surrounded by white diamonds, will be removed from the necklace and attached to a diamond-encrusted pin for a touch of bling on Brad’s guitar strap during a special performance. (As always, the “Without a Fight” singer will share the stage with his nine-time cohost, Carrie Underwood.) Once the set is wrapped, the pin will transform into a ring, which Kimberly will wear for the rest of the night.
According to Arndt’s team, this is the first time that one diamond has been featured in three designs in the same night, appearing on both the red carpet and the stage. A release explained that the inspiration behind the multi-use pendant came from, “the Paisleys and their philanthropic heart towards humanity and their love for all. What better place than the heart of America, at the CMAs, to debut the ‘Heart of the South?'”
