Carrie Underwood's surprise appearance at the 2024 CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee had fans buzzing for more than just her performance.
The country music icon teamed up with Cody Johnson for a powerful duet of “I'm Gonna Love You.” Her stage presence was as striking as her outfit. She rocked a western-inspired ensemble featuring a leather vest paired with a white fringe and lace dress.
Underwood completed the look with her signature blond locks in loose waves and flawless makeup. While her performance was widely praised, her appearance sparked heated discussions from our readers. Some fans couldn't help but comment on her changing looks.
“She's starting to look different. She's pretty. Stop before you ruin yourself,” one viewer remarked. Another added, “She doesn't even look like herself anymore! Her lips have definitely been ‘plumped.'” The person even went as far as to question why stars can't leave natural beauty untouched.
Others echoed similar sentiments. One user wrote, “I didn't recognize her either. Yes, she looked so natural not she had those big lips [sic].” Another chimed in, saying, “Stop that Botox lip injections.” Someone else simply remarked, “Her lips are huge.”
While some fans focused on Underwood's appearance, others were more concerned about her outfit and even speculated about a possible pregnancy.“Peep her belly,” one viewer commented, suggesting that her look hinted at more than just a stylish choice.
Another chimed in, saying they thought they spotted a “bump.” The speculation didn't stop there. “I love her, but I don't understand why she had to mess up with fillers and Botox but is she pregnant, [sic]?” another fan wondered aloud.
Amid the waves of criticism, Underwood's devoted fans were quick to jump to her defense, showering her with praise.“Love her outfit!” one enthusiastic fan wrote, admiring the singer's western-inspired look. Another added, “She's beautiful and always wears the most amazing outfits.”
Underwood's CMA Awards appearance didn't just capture attention for her looks—it delivered an unforgettable musical moment. Her electrifying duet with Johnson on “I'm Gonna Love You” quickly became one of the evening's standout performances.
The song, featured as the lead single on the deluxe version of Johnson's album “Leather,” debuted in November. It has a breathtaking music video set against a backdrop of horses and sweeping landscapes. Their live performance mirrored that imagery, creating a visually stunning scene that perfectly complemented their vocals.
Johnson previously shared how Underwood was his dream collaborator for the track. “It’s like Carrie Underwood or nobody,” he said, explaining how her voice was the perfect fit. Reflecting on their studio session, he described the experience as magical. Johnson recalled how he could anticipate every breath she would take while they sang.
“We're just staring at each other, kind of going off each other,” Johnson said, marveling at how seamlessly they harmonized despite it being their first time singing together.
Johnson entered the 2024 CMA Awards with five nominations and took home the Album of the Year Award for “Leather.” His hits “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter” also earned nominations for the song of the year with the latter competing for Music Video of the Year.
Additionally, Johnson was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year for the third year in a row, having previously won Single of the Year in 2022 for “Til You Can’t.”
As for Carrie Underwood, she's no stranger to country music's biggest stage. She has hosted the Awards show for 12 consecutive years and has taken home seven CMA Awards throughout her career.