All of Kelsea Ballerini's Looks at the 2023 CMT Awards

Host with the Most

CMT Awards 2023 host Kelsea Ballerini hit the red carpet at Sunday night's show in Austin in a sea green Dolce & Gabbana number styled simply with David Yurman jewels, clear heels and sleek hair. Oh, and new boyfriend Chase Stokes on her arm!

A Somber Turn

To open the show, Ballerini wore a black suit and remembered the six victims of Monday's Covenant School shooting in Nashville.

"Tonight's broadcast is dedicated to the ever-growing list of families, friends, survivors, witnesses and responders whose lives continue to forever be changed by gun violence," Ballerini — who lived through a school shooting herself — said. "I pray deeply that the closeness and the community that we feel through the next few hours of music can soon turn into action — like, real action — that moves us forward together to create change for the safety of our kids and our loved ones."

Silver Belle

While chatting up the crowd, Ballerini and co-host Kane Brown donned some sparkly cowboy hats to go with her shimmering silver minidress.

Purple Reign

Ballerini's purple jumpsuit came with a special accessory: a purse that held a burrito!

Green Goddess

Halfway through the show, the singer was party-ready in another sparkly style, this one a neon green mini.

Flower Child

For her bubbly performance of "If You Go Down," Ballerini sported a retro floral ensemble complete with big hair and backing from RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Manila Luzon, Kennedy Davenport, Olivia Lux and Jan Sport — sending a message about recent anti-drag legislation being introduced around the country.

Thinking Pink

Slipping into one more look before the show wrapped, Ballerini signed off in a flirty, heart-embellished pink number accessorized with a big bun and dangly earrings.

Behind the Hair

Ballerini teamed with celebrity hairstylist Peter Lux to create a sleek, center parted look inspired by '90s supermodels.

First: the prep. After washing her hair with the OGX Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen Shampoo & Conditioner, Lux began the styling process, using OGX 's Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray from root to tip for extra shine. He then coated Ballerini's ends with a few drops of the OGX 5-in-1 Frizz Free Miracle Gloss Keratin Smoothing Oil Miracle Gloss Spray for a layer of heat protection and hydration.

Next up: the blow out. "I blow-dried her hair over a natural bristle round brush to achieve a super silky, glossy finish," Lux says. "Once her hair was dry, I used the Great Lengths Tape-In Extensions in a variety of shades to achieve a perfect result of full dimension. The pro color-matched each hair piece with Ballerini's highlighted mane, which resulted in six rows of extensions in multiple shades of blonde.

Lux then "used a large curling iron to achieve bouncy voluminous waves with a lot of movement" and finished off with the OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil Spray for "red-carpet shine."