Kelsea Ballerini Praised For Featuring Drag Queens In Inclusive CMT Performance

Throughout Sunday night time’s present in Austin, Texas — which she co-hosted alongside Kane Brown — Ballerini was backed by a quartet of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums throughout her efficiency of “If You Go Down (I am Goin’ Down Too).”

As she sang, Kennedy Davenport, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport and Oliva Lux joined Ballerini on stage as her backup dancers. The efficiency comes after Ballerini’s dwelling state of Tennessee turned the primary state to signal a invoice into legislation limiting drag performances on public areas in view of youngsters — although a federal decide quickly blocked the ban on Firday hours earlier than it was set to enter impact.

Different states have comparable laws within the works, together with Texas, the place the CMTs had been held.

GLAAD Vice President Anthony Allen Ramos launched an announcement to ET in regards to the efficiency, praising Ballerini for her inclusion.

“As LGBTQ rights are being questioned in Texas, Tennessee, and several other Southern states, Kelsea Ballerini took to one among nation music’s largest phases to show daring allyship by proudly that includes proficient and beloved drag artists. Kelsea’s efficiency on the CMT Music Awards strengthened that drag is just not a risk, it is an artwork,” mentioned Ramos.

“New laws that tries to silence drag performers in some Southern states is as unpopular as it’s pointless. The CMT Music Awards additionally featured a efficiency from out singer Lily Rose, out crimson carpet host Cody Alan, and legendary ally Shania Twain known as for nation music to be ‘all inclusive’ in her remarks,” the assertion continued. “Nation music stars are utilizing their platforms to face with the LGBTQ group and the trade is rising into an explicitly welcoming place for LGBTQ followers and expertise. Different nation music stars, concert events, and occasions ought to be aware of CMT’s inclusion and comply with swimsuit.”

The queens featured within the efficiency additionally spoke to ET, the place they too praised Ballerini’s inclusivity.

“Similar to all these superb nation music artists, we drag queens are additionally artists. And we deserve an area to be ourselves, specific ourselves, and create one thing great for everybody to take pleasure in,” shared Manila Luzon.

“Kelsea made it actually clear within the rehearsal room and took even throughout proper earlier than the stage that she was like, ‘Take up that house, you realize, that is your time as properly, and amplify the truth that you are right here,'” added Olivia Lux. “Even the music, if you happen to’re taking place, I am taking place too — it’s in regards to the celebration of being a group. And I believe that is what we did on the stage tonight. And I actually hope that transcended some individuals as properly. It felt prefer it did.”

Jan Sport additionally added that it “meant a lot” to take the stage alongside Ballerini.

“Any alternative for us to share our items with the world is a blessing. So, it is extra of us having a message to bless different individuals,” mentioned Sport. “It is not unhealthy. It is all good. It is all love. It is all complete liberation — that is what the humanities are all about.”

Kelsea Ballerini was brief and candy in her assertion, the place the nation artist mentioned, “I really like efficiency and I really like self-expression and I really like inclusivity.”