Country music star Kelsea Ballerini used her platform as a host of the 2023 CMT Music Awards and speak up about the recent shooting at a Nashville school. During the show’s opening, Ballerini paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy, which saw six people lose their lives at the Covenant school, including three nine-year-old.
Ballerini Shared Personal Experience with Gun Violence at CMT Music Awards
Ballerini, who attended high school in Nashville, became emotional as she spoke about her personal experience with gun violence, recalling how a 15-year-old classmate lost his life to a gun in their cafeteria in 2008.
The singer used the opportunity to call for action to create change and prevent further tragedies, saying that she hoped the “closeness and community” felt during the music awards could “soon turn into action, like real action.”
Ballerini’s dedication was a powerful reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States, which has seen over 100 mass shootings in 2023 alone, according to The Economic Times. Her words echoed the sentiments of many in the country music community, who have been vocal in their support for gun control measures.
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CMT Music Awards Performances Continue
Despite the somber tone of her message, Ballerini’s performance and the rest of the CMT Music Awards went ahead as planned, with a star-studded lineup of performances from some of the biggest names in country music.
As the country continues to grapple with the issue of gun violence, Ballerini’s words at CMT Music Awards serve as a reminder of the power of music and community to bring people together and inspire change.
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