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June 7, 2012

The Best and Worst From the CMT Awards Red Carpet

By Sally Holmes and Charlotte Cowles

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Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The CMT Awards red carpet is a mythical place where sequins and cowboy hats live in harmony.* Last night, Carrie Underwood outshone her competitors in a glitter-bomb of a dress, while Kristen Bell came in a close second in a floor-length gold sparkler. Stars like Jordin Sparks and Tiffany Fallon went for sweet flowing numbers, while Denise Richards chose a clingy mini and Jennie Garth wore an iridescent cocktail dress. Click ahead to see these stars and more in our slideshow.

* Okay, okay, we can’t keep our country music award shows straight. We blame all that glitter.

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1 / 21 Photos
Kristen Bell Kristen Bell hosted this shindig, so it makes sense that she's going all out, but this Reem Acra gown seems more appropriate fo... Kristen Bell Kristen Bell hosted this shindig, so it makes sense that she's going all out, but this Reem Acra gown seems more appropriate for the Golden Globes than the CMTs. We get most of our country music sartorial knowledge from Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong, though, so maybe we're just biased toward more leg. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Jennie Garth Jennie Garth channels The Little Mermaid with this look, which is a straight copy of Ariel's tail with a bunch of sequins (of c... Jennie Garth Jennie Garth channels The Little Mermaid with this look, which is a straight copy of Ariel's tail with a bunch of sequins (of course!) bunched at the shoulders. Even her skin has that "I just stepped out of the sea" gleam to it. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Jordin Sparks One of the rewards of winning American Idol is getting to wear the pink dress from the Pretty Pretty Princess game. Photo: Jason M... Jordin Sparks One of the rewards of winning American Idol is getting to wear the pink dress from the Pretty Pretty Princess game. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood looks like the prettiest disco ball. The dress is so densely sparkled that she needed those ankle straps to kee... Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood looks like the prettiest disco ball. The dress is so densely sparkled that she needed those ankle straps to keep her upright. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Denise Richards Denise Richards should maybe rethink her spray-tanning routine (witness her left leg), but her dress is nice in that minimal fabr... Denise Richards Denise Richards should maybe rethink her spray-tanning routine (witness her left leg), but her dress is nice in that minimal fabric, maximum sparkly-boob kind of way. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Laura Bell Bundy Taking last year's Black Swan–inspired tutu trend in the wrong direction. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Scotty McCreery This is the laid-back smile of a man who doesn't own a suit. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Ali Dee Apparently Ali Dee is known as the "First Lady of the Dallas Mavericks," but she definitely looks more Ice Capades than NBA her... Ali Dee Apparently Ali Dee is known as the "First Lady of the Dallas Mavericks," but she definitely looks more Ice Capades than NBA here. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Jeremiah James Korfe and Paige Duke What is the more extreme version of a mullet dress? A bangs dress? But really, this makes total sense: the on... Jeremiah James Korfe and Paige Duke What is the more extreme version of a mullet dress? A bangs dress? But really, this makes total sense: the only way to repurpose your bridal gown and show off your cowboy boots is to lop off the front! Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Hunter Hayes Those leather lapels are there to remind you that this is no ordinary awards show. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Craig Campbell Cowboy hat time! Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Young Dapper Straw cowboy hat + plaid shirt + cuffed jeans = a reputation to uphold. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Dustin Lynch A guy's got to fit in somehow. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont, and Brooke McClymont of The McClymonts It should be a rule that all girl groups have to dress in iterations... Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont, and Brooke McClymont of The McClymonts It should be a rule that all girl groups have to dress in iterations of the same bedazzled outfit, like Destiny's Child. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Sara Evans When in doubt, wrap yourself in a sequined sheath, apply a few bottles of self-tanner, and you're ready to go. Photo: Rick Diamond/20... Sara Evans When in doubt, wrap yourself in a sequined sheath, apply a few bottles of self-tanner, and you're ready to go. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Hayden Panettiere Hayden! What are you doing here? She looks so sweet, and her bling blends right in. Totally appropriate for someone who isn't n... Hayden Panettiere Hayden! What are you doing here? She looks so sweet, and her bling blends right in. Totally appropriate for someone who isn't nominated for an award. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Grace Potter This dress is wonderful because it's like a puzzle: You can stare and stare and still have no idea how it works. Is there nude fabri... Grace Potter This dress is wonderful because it's like a puzzle: You can stare and stare and still have no idea how it works. Is there nude fabric under there? Is it glued to her back? Painted on? Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Tiffany Fallon and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts The flowy dress and gold headpiece are a bit unexpected for the CMTs. The absence of spar... Tiffany Fallon and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts The flowy dress and gold headpiece are a bit unexpected for the CMTs. The absence of sparkle is almost jarring, but it's also like a refreshing dose of floral mouthwash. Photo: Rick Diamond/2012 Getty Images
Jake Owen and Lacey Buchanan They look like they just came from a Calypso-sponsored beach wedding. Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Samantha Stephens Jessica Simpson! We found your birthing outfit! Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson It's quite remarkable how well her purple pumps match the carpet.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Imag... Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson It's quite remarkable how well her purple pumps match the carpet.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
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Tags:

  • country music awards
  • slideshow

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