Country singer and co-host of the CMT Music Awards, Kelsea Ballerini, took to the stage flanked by drag queens on Sunday night at the ceremony in Austin, Texas.
Ballerini sung her 2022 hit ‘If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)’ in what appeared to be a direct show of support for the drag artists that appeared with her, as states across the country consider legally limiting drag show performances.
The singer’s home state of Tennessee was the first to place strict limits on drag show performances, which were set to take effect this month.
But the law has been temporarily blocked after a lawsuit was filed late last week and the ruling placed on hold for two weeks, until mid-April.
Those dancing with Ballerini were Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux, all stars of the show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Kelsea Ballerini performed at the CMT Music Awards flanked by four drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race in a show of support for the drag community
Ballerini made it clear where her allegiances lay as she was flanked by four drag queens, rainbow lighting and glitter
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage with Olivia Lux, Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport and Manila Luzon at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on Sunday night in Austin, Texas
‘Just like all these amazing country music artists, we drag queens are also artists. And we deserve a space to be ourselves, express ourselves, and create something wonderful for everyone to enjoy,’ Luzon said to ET following the performance which ended with rainbow lighting and confetti.
‘It means so much,’ Sport said. ‘Any opportunity for us to share our gifts with the world is a blessing. So, it’s more of us having a message to bless other people. It’s not bad. It’s all good. It’s all love. It’s all total liberation — that’s what the arts are all about.’
Asked if the group had advice for drag queens that might be impacted by the Tennessee’s anti-drag show ban: ‘Continue to be your authentic self,’ said Davenport.
‘We’re still motivating young people, we’re still inspiring them, we’re still lifting them up because at the end of the day, we have a calling and we have a job as drag queens.’
Ballerini’s home state of Tennessee had been about to introduce a law limiting drag show performances until a federal judge temporarily blocked the ruling
On Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Tennessee ‘s law that would place strict limits on drag shows just hours before it was set to go into effect. Ballerini was flanked by four drag queen on Sunday night
On social media, Ballerini’s antics drew a mixed response with some praising the stunt
Others were less convinced by Ballerini’s antics and vowed to delete her from their playlists
On social media, Ballerini’s antics drew a mixed response.
‘Kelsea Ballerini kicking off the CMT Awards with an earnest, gut-wrenching plea for common sense gun control & then filling her stage with drag queens for a song about solidarity. My kinda country,’ wrote one user.
‘kelsea ballerini making a point to speak out about gun violence in schools and then going on to perform with drag queens at the CMT awards she’s hosting, we love to see someone actually use their platform for good,’ stated another.
‘Legendary middle finger from @KelseaBallerini to all the haters. Getting on that stage with drag queens next to her at the #CMTAwards is absolutely iconic,’ added Jake Dudley.
Others were less convinced by the stunt: ‘What happened to the CMT Awards?! We got a political statement at the beginning, non-country songs and performers, people with tattoos all over their bodies and faces and @KelseaBallerini performing with drag queens. No thank you. Turned it off. #CMTAwards2023’, stated Joe.
‘Deleting her from my playlist because I can. Drag queens + country music = NO THANK YOU!! Just one hour away from f****** politics!! It’s that too much to ask????’ tweeted one irked country music fan.
The drag queens group served as Ballerini’s backup dancers, while the singer sang and strummed along on a pink guitar
The drag queens: Kennedy Davenport, from left, Jan Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux, pictured on Sunday
On Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Tennessee’s law that would place strict limits on drag shows just hours before it was set to go into effect.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker sided with a group that filed a lawsuit claiming the statute violates the First Amendment.
The decision on what would have been a first-in-the-nation ruling comes after Memphis-based Friends of George’s, an LGBTQ+ theater company, filed the federal lawsuit last Monday against Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and the state.
Parker issued the temporary injunction after hearing arguments on both sides Thursday.
Parker wrote that the state has failed to make a compelling argument as to why Tennessee needed the new law, adding that the court also agrees the statute is likely vague and overly broad.
The word ‘drag’ doesn’t appear in the new law, which instead changed the definition of adult cabaret in Tennessee to mean ‘adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors.’
On Friday, a federal judge has blocked Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law, which imposes strict limitations on drag shows, just hours before it was set to go into effect. From left to right, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport, Kelsea Ballerini and Olivia Lux attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center in Austin, Texas
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage with Kennedy Davenport and Jan Sport on Sunday
U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker issued the temporary injunction after hearing arguments on both sides on Thursday
Furthermore, ‘male or female impersonators’ are now classified as a form of adult cabaret, akin to strippers and topless, go-go and exotic dancers.
The law banned adult cabaret performances from public property or anywhere minors might be present. Performers who break the law risk being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony for a repeat offense.
‘The law prohibits a drag performer wearing a crop top and mini skirt from dancing where minors might see it, but does not prohibit a Tennessee Titans cheerleader wearing an identical outfit from performing the exact same dance in front of children,’ the initial complaint contends.
Parker also listed concerns aligning with the group’s argument that the law was overly broad, questioning the location specifications of a cabaret entertainment venue that might be viewed by a minor.
‘Does a citizen´s private residence count? How about a camping ground at a national park?’ Parker wrote. ‘Ultimately, the Statute’s broad language clashes with the First Amendment’s tight constraints.’
Kennedy Davenport, Kelsea Ballerini, Olivia Lux, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport seen at the 2023 CMT Music Awards
The complaint also details the efforts last year to block a drag show at a park in Jackson, west of Nashville, as part of a Pride festival.
A legal complaint spearheaded by Republican state Rep. Chris Todd and Republican state Sen. Ed Jackson sought to prevent the show, forcing organizers to reach a settlement to hold the event indoors with an age restriction.
‘After abusing the state courts to violate the First Amendment rights of Jackson Pride, Rep. Todd ‘was asked to come up with legislation that would make this much more clear’ – that drag performances in front of children are a violation of Tennessee law,’ the complaint argues.
Parker referenced Todd’s actions in his Friday decision, saying the state attorney general’s office failed to give a clear answer on the purpose of the new law given Tennessee’s current obscenity laws.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mulroy told the judge that he didn’t object to a temporary restraining order.
‘There has been much concern and confusion about the law from the community,’ Mulroy said in a statement.
The lawsuit claimed that the law violated the First Amendment with the judge ruling the statute was vague and overly broad and did not provide a compelling argument for why the new law was necessary. Ballerini is seen with some of the drag queens on Sunday night
‘This will allow the court to clarify the scope, application, and constitutionality of the statute. It’s important to understand the scope of this law so that it doesn’t have a harmful effect on constitutionally protected expression.’
A spokesperson for the attorney general´s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Friday.
The Tennessee drag law marks the second major proposal targeting LGBTQ+ people passed by state lawmakers this year. Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed into law GOP-backed legislation banning most gender-affirming care.
Lee has faced criticism for approving the anti-drag show law, particularly since a photo surfaced of him as a high school senior dressed in women’s clothing in 1977.
Lee called comparing the two issues ‘ridiculous.’
When asked for specific examples of inappropriate drag shows taking place in front of children, Lee did not cite any, but said he was concerned about protecting children.