Shania Twaintook to the stage on May 17 to host theAcademy of Country Music Awardsfor her first time.
Broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the ceremony celebrates the biggest names in country music as stars compete for top honors, including entertainer, album and song of the year.
Among this year’s leading nominees areMegan Moroney,Miranda Lambert,Ella Langley,Lainey WilsonandChris Stapleton.
Twain has graced the ACM Awards stage before. She previously won three ACM awards, including the top honor and entertainer of the year, which she nabbed in 2000.
As the who's who of country music sat in the arena's audience, the "Queen of Country Pop" opened the show's with a sweet retrospective monologue.
"What a time this is for country music. Our songs and storytellers are everywhere," Twain said, hitting the stage in an intricate gold gown.
"Now, this show and I have a little history together. Exactly 30 years ago, I was honored with my first ACM award, and that was a big, huge night for me. The 'Come On Over' album is about to turn 30," she said, adding she can't believe how long her journey has been.
"I started singing in bars when I was eight years old, and I didn't have my first top 10 hit until I was 30, and I wrote my new album called 'Little Miss Twain' all about that long journey, and I can't wait to share it with you. It's coming out in July," she said.
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"That little Miss Twain never imagined she'd be right here hosting tonight," she added.
Established in 1966, the ACMs are the longest-running country music awards show.
This is Twain's first time hosting the ceremony, making her the third woman to solo-host the show after Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.
Twain shouted out Parton and McEntire for blazing the trail for all women in country music, as well as other hosts like Charley Pride, Glenn Campbell and Kenny Rogers.
"I had his poster up on my wall my whole teenage years," Twain said of Rogers.
"We love all our country mythic legends from then and now. Tonight, the power of music will shine."
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com. Follower her on Instagram at @audreyraegibbs.
Bryan West is a music reporter at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him onInstagram,TikTokandX as @BryanWestTV.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:Shania Twain opens 2026 ACMs with sweet monologue