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WATCH: Carly Pearce Jokes ‘Divorce Has Never Looked So Good’ As She’s Crowned A 2022 CMT Artist Of The Year
Pearce delivered a stunning performance of her song, ’29.’
Carly Pearce; Photo by Getty Images for CMT
After experiencing a year of heartbreak due to her highly publicized divorce, Carly Pearce has enjoyed the best year of her life and career throughout the past 12 months. CMT recognized her ongoing successes and chose to honor her as one of the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year.
Pearce was one of five honorees who were celebrated during the 90-minute CMT special, which featured performances and special moments throughout.
The reigning ACM and CMA Female Artist/Vocalist Of The Year was introduced by her former tourmate, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, and took to the stage to perform the emotional “29” from her critically acclaimed project, 29: Written In Stone.
Sporting a floor-length red sequin gown, Pearce delivered a stunning performance of the ballad inspired by the events that occurred while she was 29.
“For me,” she said, “that was the song that changed everything. It was the first song I wrote with [songwriters] Shane [McAnally] and Josh [Osborne]. I went there, and they went there with me, and it changed my whole life,” Pearce shared with People ahead of the show.
During her acceptance speech, the Kentucky native reflected on how far she’s come in her career and life.
“Oh my goodness, I have thought long and hard about what to say…and I think about CMT and I think about 10 years ago crying on Leslie Fram’s couch, in CMT, wondering if I was ever going to get a break and fast forward to just everything that has happened in my life in the last few years,” Pearce shared.
She went on to explain how her 29 album was born after experiencing pain and shared her hope to inspire others.
“I wrote this album, not to chase anything except to survive and when I think about just everything that has happened in my life, I want anybody who is struggling to know that you can get through and you can overcome anything because I did,” she said. “I was at the bottom, and I got up, and I, and I chose to get through this situation.
After thanking her team for their unwavering support, Pearce turned her attention to the fans who have helped her dreams come true. She closed her speech with a powerful statement.
“As a little girl, you think about the things you want in your life and this right here is what I wanted. So thank you CMT, thank you country music fans, thank you country music industry. I have to say…Divorce has never looked so good!”
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year celebrated the success Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes have seen throughout the past year.
Alan Jackson was honored as the CMT Artist Of A Lifetime. The prestigious honor, presented by Ram Trucks, was previously awarded to Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014).
Lainey Wilson was named the 2022 CMT Breakout Artist Of The Year. Wilson is the fifth recipient of the award, following Mickey Guyton (2021), Ashley McBryde (2019), Kelsea Ballerini (2016), and Chris Stapleton (2015).
The 90-minute concert event featured performances from Jackson, Pearce, Johnson, Brown and Wilson. Hayes joined forces with Ciara for a never-before-seen performance of their “Y’all Life” remix. Riley Green also took the stage to honor Luke Combs.
A heartwarming tribute to the late Loretta Lynn, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 90, also took place during the star-studded event when her sisters, Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright, performed in her honor.
In addition to a star-studded list of performances, the show also included presenters: Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts’ frontman Gary LeVox, Kelsea Ballerini, Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille, and Shane McAnally.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared remotely from his annual Dale Jr. Foundation charity event in North Carolina to present Combs with his 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year award.
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year premiered on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c on CMT.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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