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