After co-hosting the CMA Awards for 12 consecutive years, Carrie Underwood is hanging up her hat.
The superstar revealed that she no longer plans to co-host the CMAs on Monday (Dec. 30) in a lengthy Instagram post, telling fans: “I’ve decided to pass the hosting torch.”
“One of the highlights of 2019 and of my entire career so far was being on stage with the legends that are Reba and Dolly Parton,” the “Drinking Alone” singer began. “I’m so proud that we could celebrate the incredible female artists that are part of the legacy of country music, past, present and future, and I’m thankful for the huge audiences all over the world that tuned in to see it. It’s hard to believe that it was my 12th year hosting and I will always treasure every show, from the 11 that I was so lucky to do with my partner in crime and friend for life, Brad Paisley, to sharing the stage with two of my all-time heroes.”
“I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years,” she continued. “It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us.”
Underwood first co-hosted the CMA Awards in 2008 alongside Brad Paisley. They shared the stage as co-hosts of “Country Music’s Biggest Night” for 11 years. In 2019, Paisley stepped away and Underwood hosted the show with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.
