Jennifer Nettles Wanted to Share Her ‘Subversive’ Message Through Fashion at 2019 CMA Awards
Jennifer Nettles made a statement when she walked the red carpet at the 2019 CMA Awards, using her outfit as a call for gender equality. But for the singer, the move was more than a statement — it was a call to action.
Nettles took the women-centric theme of the 2019 show to another level by donning a pink satin cape draped over her white pantsuit, writing "Play our F---in' Records, Please & Thank You" on the front, with a woman's face, the equality sign and the words "equal play" sketched out on the back.
Backstage at the CMAs, the Sugarland singer explained that she was intentional about tying her statement to fashion to make it even more powerful.
"For a woman, it feels like — what more womanly a way to make a statement than through fashion? And just to push a subversive [message] in a more cheeky way," she shared with the Boot and other media, adding that she hopes that her message, along with the theme of celebrating women, continues in the future and brings about more equality in the genre. "When I learned that the CMAs tonight were going to be celebrating women, and the hostesses were three women, I thought, 'What a fantastic opportunity to continue the conversation.'"
Nettles was one of the participants in the all-star opening tribute to the women of country music during the show, singing Loretta Lynn's "You're Looking at Country" with Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town. As a bonus, Lynn was actually in the audience for the performance. The medley also included Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton Martina McBride, Sara Evans and more.
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