Unexpected Alliance: CMT Awards, Drag Queens, and Gun Control Advocates

Imagine, for a moment, that you’re kicking back on your couch, ready to tune into the 2023 CMT Music Awards.

You’re excited to enjoy some catchy country tunes and celebrate your favorite artists. But suddenly, something unexpected catches your attention.

The host, Kelsea Ballerini, steps on stage and starts talking about a recent tragedy.

The Nashville Christian school shooting – six lives lost, including three innocent nine-year-olds. A wave of emotions washes over you as she calls for “real action” against gun violence. The mood shifts, and you realize this isn’t just about music anymore.

Now, you might think the CMT Music Awards would be a safe haven from politics and controversy.

A place to simply appreciate the artistry and talent of country musicians. But even here, in the heart of the country music community, the conversation takes a turn towards the ever-polarizing topic of gun control.

See for yourself:

ICYMI: CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini dedicated Sunday night’s broadcast to ‘the ever-growing list of families, friends, survivors, witnesses, and responders whose lives continue to forever be changed by gun violence’ pic.twitter.com/pzZ0PCPHby

— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) April 5, 2023

Wow, the CMT Awards were so woke this year. Did anyone tell them they're still in Nashville, not San Francisco? 🤔https://t.co/HaZmOS5t41

— Media Research Center (@theMRC) April 3, 2023

Last night @CMT used a “country music” award show to push gun control and drag queens. They have completely forgotten/ ignored their actual fan base. #GoWokeGoBroke

— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) April 3, 2023

And if that wasn’t enough, the show goes on to reveal a surprising new alliance.

CMT used the event to announce their partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a gun control group founded after the tragic 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Yes, you read that right. Even CMT has gone woke, deciding to use their platform to push a political agenda.

And now, your once-peaceful evening of music has turned into a battleground for a contentious issue, leaving you with a bitter taste in your mouth.

Breitbart confirms:

CMT used its 2023 Music Awards to announce a new partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a gun control group founded after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

County singer and CMT Music Awards host Kelsea Ballerini (pictured) opened Sunday’s awards by pointing to the Nashville Christian school shooting and calling for “real action” against gun violence.

Access Hollywood noted Ballerini pointed out three nine-year-old children and three adults were killed in the Christian school attack. She said the six victims “walked into the Covenant School and didn’t walk out.”

Billboard reported Ballerini dedicated the 2023 CMT Music Awards “to the ever-growing list of families, friends, survivors, witnesses and responders whose lives continue to forever be changed by gun violence.”

She added, “I pray deeply that the closeness and the community we feel through the next few hours of music can soon turn into action, like real action that moves us forward together to make change for the safety of our kids and our loved ones.

No wonder our country is so divided!

Political activists can’t just let entertainment be entertainment.

They have to use whatever power they have to try to convince the rest of us to see the world just as they do.

But it wasn’t just gun control.

The CMT’s also featured drag queens heavily this year.

The CMT Country Music Awards last night featured a drag queen performance. Yes, I am serious. https://t.co/3pAiTcMU6F

— Not the Bee (@Not_the_Bee) April 3, 2023

Drag queens performance at 2023 CMT Music Awards. pic.twitter.com/qfbfcRQaGV

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 3, 2023

If you want proof that Satan is winning, look no further.

After mentioning the Nashville shooting at the CMT Awards, Kelsea Ballerini invited drag queens to the stage to remind you that you must reaffirm your support for the LGBTQ community. pic.twitter.com/skoDYzMQow

— Candace Owens Podcast (@CandaceOwensPod) April 5, 2023

Kelsea Ballerini took the stage, delivering a show-stopping performance.

But it’s not just her vocals that have everyone talking – she’s joined by none other than four “RuPaul’s Drag Race” queens! Controversial? Absolutely. But Kelsea’s not backing down.

In fact, TMZ reports that despite the backlash from conservative circles, Kelsea doesn’t regret her groundbreaking decision one bit. And both CMT and CBS? They’ve had her back from the get-go.

Per TMZ:

Kelsea Ballerini doesn’t regret her groundbreaking performance alongside drag queens on national television, and it definitely wasn’t a surprise to showrunners … TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us … the backlash Kelsea’s getting for Sunday’s CMT Music Awards moment — having four “RuPaul’s Drag Race” queens come on stage during one of her performances — is falling on deaf ears … ’cause she doesn’t regret it one bit.

We’re told Kelsea fully stands by her decision to feature the drag queens … which some folks in conservative circles have gone ballistic over — accusing CMT of going woke.

FWIW, the drag queens’ appearance was fully planned. Production sources tell TMZ … both CMT and CBS were extremely supportive of the cameo and knew about it from the get-go … we’re also told they’d been part of rehearsals since Friday.

So what do you think?

Was Kelsea’s stunt appropriate?

Did it help or hurt her cause?

Let us know what you think about this strange turn of events in the comments below!