Kelsea Ballerini and CMT Music Awards Drag Queens Explain Message Behind Performance (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

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!.