CMT Music Awards Kelsea Ballerini and CMT Music Awards Drag Queens Explain Message Behind Performance (Exclusive) By Mona Khalifeh 8:11 PM PDT, April 2, 2023 This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. Up Next21:19Kelsea Ballerini Makes Statement at CMT Music Awards With Drag Q…02:39'Yellowstone': Kevin Costner Not Returning After Season 5 (Sourc…02:40Is 'Yellowstone' Ending? Why Kevin Costner Is Possibly Looking t…08:38Nick Cannon Shares Jamie Foxx Update and How He’s Celebrating Ro…12:09Met Gala 2023: All the Must-See Moments00:56Pierce Brosnan and Wife Keely Make Met Gala Debut and Share Karl…05:12Gwyneth Paltrow on Reviving Friendship With Brad Pitt and How Hu…01:30Kevin Costner and Wife Christine Split After 18 Years of Marriage04:30'Love Is Blind' Star Micah Felt 'Duped' After the Live Reunion (…05:20Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Shut Down 2023 Met Gala with Karl Lagerfe…01:57Jamie Foxx Breaks Silence Amid Ongoing Hospitalization01:47Ed Sheeran Reveals Why He Might Quit Music Career During Copyrig…03:38Allison Holker Granted Half of Late Husband Stephen 'tWitch' Bos…03:10Savannah Chrisley Reveals Parents Todd and Julie Can't Speak Whi…04:00Why Lindsie Chrisley Hasn't Visited Julie Chrisley Amid Prison S…03:43Ed Sheeran Says He Felt Like He Was 'Drowning' After Wife's Canc…02:53Jamie Foxx 'Doing OK' as Cameron Diaz Continues Filming 'Back in…03:08Rachel Bilson Has Cheeky Response to What She Misses Most About …03:38Derek Hough Spills on Sister Julianne Taking Over 'DWTS' Co-Host… Kelsea Ballerini made her feelings about the Tennessee drag ban known during her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards Sunday. Ballerini, who also served as the night's co-host, transported the audience backyard barbecue in the '60s, where she was surrounded by a bevy of drag queens while belting out her hit, "If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)." The group served as Ballerini's backup dancers, while the singer sang and strummed along on a pink guitar. After throwing her long, green coat to the side, Ballerini showed off a yellow two-piece, which she strutted her stuff in while the drag queens followed behind -- all dressed in their best '60s-inspired wears.The performance ended with a flutter of confetti that was illuminated with rainbow stage lights, which made Ballerini's stance loud and clear. ET spoke to the drag queens -- Kennedy Davenport, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport and Oliva Lux -- that performed alongside the "Penthouse" singer, who shared the importance of taking the stage with Ballerini."Just like all these amazing country music artists, we drag queens are also artists. And we deserve a space to be ourselves, express ourselves, and create something wonderful for everyone to enjoy," Luzon said."It means so much," Sport added, of getting to perform alongside Ballerini. "Because any opportunity for us to share our gifts with the world is a blessing. So, it's more of us having a message to bless other people. It's not bad. It's all good. It's all love. It's all total liberation -- that's what the arts are all about."What can’t our host do? @KelseaBallerini absolutely SLAYED her #CMTAwards performance! 🌈✨ pic.twitter.com/t7f8vZEf6K— CMT (@CMT) April 3, 2023 Lux, meanwhile, praised Ballerini, for her positive message and for promoting the community that she not only fostered with their performance, but with her upbeat track. "Kelsea made it really clear in the rehearsal room and took even during right before the stage that she was like take up that space, you know, this is your time as well, and amplify the fact that you're here," Lux said. "Even the song, if you're going down, I'm going down too -- it is about the celebration of being a community. And I think that's what we did on the stage tonight. And I really hope that transcended some people as well. It felt like it did."As for what Ballerini had to say about it, the country crooner simply added, "I love performance and I love self-expression and I love inclusivity."On Monday, GLAAD issued a statement in support of Ballerini and CMT's inclusion of the LGBTQ community. "As LGBTQ rights are being questioned in Texas, Tennessee, and several Southern states, Kelsea Ballerini took to one of country music’s biggest stages to display bold allyship by proudly featuring talented and beloved drag artists. Kelsea’s performance at the CMT Music Awards reinforced that drag is not a threat, it’s an art," said GLAAD's Vice President of Communications & Talent, Anthony Allen Ramos."New legislation that tries to silence drag performers in some Southern states is as unpopular as it is unnecessary. The CMT Music Awards also featured a performance from out singer Lily Rose, out red carpet host Cody Alan, and legendary ally Shania Twain called for country music to be 'all inclusive' in her remarks," Ramos continued. "Country music stars are using their platforms to stand with the LGBTQ community and the industry is growing into an explicitly welcoming place for LGBTQ fans and talent. Other country music stars, concerts, and events should take note of CMT’s inclusion and follow suit."Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesLast month, Tennessee introduced, Senate Bill 3, known as the Tennessee drag ban, which set to ban the public "adult cabaret performance" of drag performers in front of children in the state of Tennessee. The ban has received lots of opposition from those in the state and outside it, and on Friday, the ban was halted, a federal judge in Tennessee pressing pause on the ban, just hours before it was set to take effect.When it comes to the ban, Davenport, Luzon, Sport and Lux said they aren't going anywhere."We have a strong real job of being leaders. So with that leadership comes strength. So we have to be strong because people look up to us and we appreciate that," Davenport shared. "And I take the job on wholeheartedly because that's what we're here to do. We're here to uplift we're here to stay free. We're here to lead people to a brighter light in this business!"Sport added, "If there's one thing: Do not mess with the LGBTQ+ community, okay? We're here, we're queer. Get used to it, baby!" Ultimately, Davenport noted, it's all about equality. "The world is evolving. So we have to, we're gonna evolve with you guys," Davenport told ET. "And we're going to. We're all equal. And that's what it's all about."The 2023 CMT Music Awards airs live on CBS and is streaming on Paramount+. For more coverage of the big event, including all of the night's winners, keep checking back with ETonline.RELATED CONTENT: 2023 CMT Music Awards: The Complete Winners List Kelsea Ballerini Honors Nashville School Shooting Victims at CMTs Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Make Red Carpet Debut at CMT Awards CMT Music Awards: Shania Twain on Receiving ‘Equal Play’ Honor (Exclusive) This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. Up NextRelated Gallery2023 CMT Music Awards: Red Carpet Arrivals
CMT Music Awards: Shania Twain on Receiving ‘Equal Play’ Honor (Exclusive) This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. Up Next