Most underrated show out there! So much happened during the 2015 CMAs in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, involving some of music’s biggest stars, including Blake Shelton, his ex-wife Miranda Lambert, pop superstar Justin Timberlake, and more. Check out Us Weekly‘s recap of the top moments from the awards show.
It didn’t take long for the evening’s hosts to bring up the biggest split of the summer. “Of course, we can’t ignore the breakup that really rocked the world,” the duo noted before their many industry peers on Wednesday. “Two people we know and love.” The cameras panned to Miss Piggy and Kermit, both mortified and shying away from the spotlight.
“On a completely unrelated topic,” Paisley proceeded, “howdy, Blake!”
Along with Shelton’s split, Paisley cracked jokes about Josh Duggar’s cheating scandal — and one Duggar in-law found it funny.
In his monologue, Paisley crooned: “Carrie, have you heard that duet Blake did with Ashley Madison?”
“No, no, that was Ashley Monroe,” Underwood replied.
“Have I been going to the wrong site?” Paisley continued, launching into a song with Underwood. “Bored with your wife? And your sister, too? Your cheating side will tell on you… Josh Duggar.”
In a now-deleted post, Amy Duggar’s husband, Dillon King, wrote on Instagram that it was the “best thing ever.” He posted a video of the monologue and wrote: “@bradpaisley you are the man !!! #bestthingever #cmt #cmtawards.”
The “Suit & Tie” hottie joined country rocker Chris Stapleton on stage at the venue, where they gave a soulful performance of Stapleton’s single “Tennessee Whiskey.” The stars then transitioned into “Drink You Away” from Timberlake’s smash album, The 20/20 Experience.
The crowd naturally went wild, as did Timberlake’s gorgeous wife, Jessica Biel, who was captured by ABC cameras rocking out to her husband’s performance. His onstage collaborator, Stapleton, meanwhile, took home three awards on Wednesday night.
The “Automatic” songstress took home the Female Vocalist of the Year Award on Wednesday night, and acknowledged her rough personal life in her speech. “Hi, guys,” the recently single Lambert, 31, remarked. “Man . . . I needed a bright spot this year.”
Watch Us Weekly’s exclusive video above to catch all of these moments!