Shania Twain Hosts 61st ACM Awards as She Questions Why Country Lacks 5 More Dolly Partons
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
Shania Twain Hosts 61st ACM Awards as She Questions Why Country Lacks 5 More Dolly Partons
6 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
Shania Twain, 60, said hosting Sunday’s 61st Academy of Country Music Awards feels like representing the genre, not just emceeing a show, as the ceremony streams at 8 ET on Amazon Prime Video.
Ahead of the broadcast, Twain questioned country music’s originality, asking why it has not produced more global female stars like Dolly Parton and arguing the genre is only now spreading out stylistically again.
Twain pointed to Ella Langley, who has 5 nominations, and Shaboozey, with 2, as artists whose individuality stands out; Langley will perform and Shaboozey will present.
The show also marks 30 years since Twain’s first ACM wins in 1996 and returns to Las Vegas in 2026 after a three-year run at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters in Texas.
With country music's top leaders departing, will Shania Twain's call for originality finally break Nashville's long-standing formula?
Are crossover stars like Shaboozey and Ella Langley a temporary trend, or the permanent new face of country music?