For two years, the nominees for the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award were all male artists. This angered many, and drew criticism from fans and artists alike.
To top it off, the last time a female artist won the Entertainer of the Year Award was back in 2011. That year, the honor was bestowed on Taylor Swift. She also won in 2009.
Prior to that, the last female Entertainer of the Year was actually a group, the Dixie Chicks. They won the award in 2000.
So when the CMA unveiled is 2019 nominees for Entertainer of the Year, people rejoiced when they saw Carrie Underwood‘s name listed.
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There’s no denying the fact that Underwood is a top competitor in the category this year. She just wrapped up her successful Cry Pretty Tour 360, which took her all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
On top of that, she also headlined one night of the CMA Fest. And her singles “Love Wins” and “Southbound” were chart hits.
Those are all things that immediately come to mind when you think of what Underwood accomplished this year. But one of her former duet partners has taken the time to point out some other things that you may not think of, and all make her a quality entertainer.
That former duet partner is of course, Miranda Lambert, who recorded “Somethin’ Bad” with Underwood and released it in 2014.
In a lengthy post she published to Instagram on October 7, Lambert spoke highly of everyone nominated for Entertainer of the Year. But she had the most to say about Underwood.
Calling Underwood “The Entertainer of the Year,” Lambert heaped praise on her longtime friend:
“She blows me away every time I hear her sing. She never wavers in who she is or what she stands for. She has stayed true & pushed herself to be better.”
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When asked about her comments during an interview with FOX News, Lambert doubled down. She further explained why Underwood is the perfect Entertainer of the Year in her eyes, naming all of the things she has done just in the course of one year:
“But if you think about someone who hosted the CMAs pregnant, then started an all-female tour and then had a baby and then went right back on the road three months later… she has a brand, Calia by Carrie Underwood, and it lifts up women. She does Monday Night Football. I just feel like as a whole entertainer of the year should be someone that entertains in all facets of music.”
We’ll find out during the CMA Awards on November 13 if Lambert’s campaign paid off. Underwood certainly worked hard this year, and is more than deserving of the award and the nomination!