Culture April 11, 2022

'I am devastated': Kelsea Ballerini tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of CMT Music Awards

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Singer Kelsea Ballerini will no longer host the CMT Awards in-person after testing positive for COVID-19, but she's still participating in the ceremony remotely.

A statement from CMT on Monday morning confirmed that Ballerini, who was supposed to co-host the show with actor Anthony Mackie live from Nashville, has contracted the virus and will be co-hosting remotely from her house.

"Fortunately, she is asymptomatic and remains excited to co-host the show (remotely)," a statement from CMT read. "Kelsea’s good friend Kane Brown, who co-hosted with her last year, has graciously agreed to step in alongside Anthony Mackie and they have plenty of surprises in store for tonight’s show."

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Ballerini also shared a video to her Instagram account about the news.

"I am devastated. I'm gutted. But the good news is that I'm feeling a lot better," she said, revealing that CMT brought part of the set to her house where she's quarantining so she can still host and perform.

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"It is certainly not what we expected or planned for, but we are doing our damn best," she added with a smile. "Let's make some lemonade together out of these very bitter lemons."

She also commented on her own post, "IF YOU THINK IM NOT USING MY DRIVEWAY AS A RUNWAY FOR ALL MY LEWKS YOUD BE WRONG THOUGH 💪🏼"

The CMT Awards air Monday on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.