Taylor Swift sparkles in crimson sequined turtleneck on red carpet of ACM Awards… ahead of first performance at a country awards show in seven years
Taylor Swift has come a long way in her career, since taking the country music world by storm more than a decade ago.
But the 10-time Grammy winner has recently returned to her roots, where she was met with open arms.
She sparkled Wednesday in a crimson sequined turtleneck, as she arrived at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to perform at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Lady in red: Taylor Swift sparkled Wednesday in a crimson sequined turtleneck, as she arrived at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to perform at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards
The 30-year-old tucked the top into a pair of high-waisted khaki trousers, which were lined in pink stitching.
She finished the ensemble with a pair of black strappy kitten heels, featuring a gold chain around the ankle.
Taylor later performed the single Betty from her recent eighth studio album Folklore, her first performance at a country music awards show in seven years.
She took to the dark, bare stage for a stripped-down, backlit performance of the popular track.
Touch of pink: The 30-year-old tucked the top into a pair of high-waisted khaki trousers, which were lined in pink stitching
Hell on heels: She finished the ensemble with a pair of black strappy kitten heels, featuring a gold chain around the ankle
Country comeback: Taylor later took to the stage at the historic venue, her first performance at a country music awards show in seven years
The Teardrops On My Guitar artist sat on a stool, playing a black acoustic guitar, while serenading the empty room.
Taylor’s latest album surprise dropped in July, and it’s spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
She last performed at the ACM Awards with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban in 2013, before officially making her transition to pop the next year with her fifth album 1989.
New music: She performed the single Betty from her recent eighth studio album Folklore, which has spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart
Overdue reunion: She last performed at the ACM Awards with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban in 2013, before officially making her transition to pop the next year with her fifth album 1989 (pictured in April, 2013)
The Lover artist teased the performance earlier this month on her Instagram Story, writing: ‘Bout to show up at your party @acmawards’
Although she’s not nominated this year, she ended up in last year’s Video of the Year category, after appearing on Sugarland’s track Babe.
After a five month delay, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s show was moved from Las Vegas to Nashville for the first time, with no live audience.
Performers like Taylor hit the stage at three historic locations for country music, including Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.
2020 ACM Awards Winners
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett – TIE – WINNER
Carrie Underwood – TIE – WINNER
Golden girl: Carrie Underwood took the top honor along with Thomas Rhett in a historic tie for Entertainer of the Year
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris – WINNER
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Wow factor: Maren Morris earned Female Artist of the Year
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs – WINNER
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay – WINNER
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion – WINNER
The Highwomen
Squad goals: Old Dominion were a big winner as they earned Group of the Year
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Lindsay Ell
Caylee Hammack
Tenille Townes – WINNER
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jordan Davis
Russell Dickerson
Riley Green – WINNER
Cody Johnson
Morgan Wallen
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
GIRL – Maren Morris
Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs – WINNER
Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
Double fisting: Luke Combs won Album Of The Year and Male Artist of the Year
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – WINNER
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion
“Rainbow” – Kacey Musgraves
“Rumor” – Lee Brice
“What If I Never Get Over You” – Lady Antebellum
SONG OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Ashley McBryde
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion – WINNER
“Some of It” – Eric Church
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion
“Remember You Young” – Thomas Rhett – WINNER
“Sugar Coat” – Little Big Town
Sweet: Thomas Rhett not only took home Entertainer of the Year but also earned Video of the Year
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Hillary Lindsey – WINNER
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks feat. Blake Shelton
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” – Miranda Lambert feat. Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King – WINNER
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
“What Happens in a Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert feat. Lindsay Ell