The Worst-Dressed Celebs At The 2024 CMA Awards

After what felt like an eternity since last year's event, the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards finally arrived, and fans across the nation celebrated the event's 58th year running. The ceremony, which was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, was jam-packed with celebrity guests — and hosts. With Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and Peyton Manning hosting the festivities, it was, as always, one of the most electrifying evenings in showbiz. In addition to their hosting responsibilities, Wilson and Bryan joined the stage as performers alongside fan favorites like Luke Combs, Post Malone, and Ashley McBryde.

At the CMAs, it's generally safe to say you'll see the hottest country acts crooning their hearts out on the stage. Another sure thing is that the event's red-carpet fashions are often red-hot, though some of the evening's ensembles can go down in flames. Despite country music's reputation for healing broken hearts, there are enough worst-dressed celebs at the CMAs to fill a rodeo. So, grab the closest Southern delicacy you can find, as well as your coziest cowboy boots, 'cuz it's time to check out the worst-dressed celebrities at the 2024 CMA Awards.

We're all for purple gowns for fall — after all, who doesn't enjoy rocking jewel-toned formalwear this time of year? Still, something about Ashley McBryde's plum-colored look didn't sit well with us. Maybe it was the dramatic, floor-skimming cape or the tightly fitted bodice, but something about McBryde's dress stirred up serious Renaissance Faire feels. As a result, this costumey choice landed McBryde on Glam's worst-dressed list.

There's much to be said for a mermaid-style dress — after all, its signature, floor-sweeping silhouette is among the most popular wedding dress trends of all time. However, Megan Moroney's royal-blue mermaid dress at the 2024 CMAs wasn't anything to write home about. That's because there wasn't much to see — aside from a lone, glittery clutch, anyway. Had there been a little more visual interest to Moroney's blah, blue dress design — a necklace would've helped — she could have easily avoided the title of worst-dressed at this year's CMAs.

Caroline Bryan wasn't ready to leave Megan Moroney out to sea on the 58th CMAs red carpet. In total solidarity, Bryan turned up wearing a rather basic blue gown of her own. But while Moroney's royal-blue garment certainly pumped up the volume, Bryan's limp look fell a bit flat for all its shimmer and shine. As much as we enjoyed the vintage vibes of her gown's floral embellishments, even though they felt a bit like an afterthought, Bryan's straight-cut slip failed to leave a lasting impression on us.

If you've followed our awards-show coverage long enough, you're well aware that there's always (at least) one little black dress on the worst-dressed list at every event. Taking the crown for the most tragic LBD at the 58th CMAs was Lauren Akins, accompanied by her husband, Thomas Rhett. Boring? Check. Basic? Check. Wrinkled? Bonus points! Congratulations, Lauren Akins, for joining our list of celebrities who have sported yawn-worthy LBDs on the red carpet.

An abundance of glitz and glam is typically a straight shot to our heart, yet Kelsea Ballerini's super-sparkly outfit at the 2024 CMA Awards failed to deliver. While, yes, it definitely had plenty of sparkle, the droopy fit of the star's top and bottom gave us pause. Perhaps if there had been a little more attention to the tailoring of Ballerini's disco ball-esque gown, things could have gone differently for the country star.

Another star who failed to serve in silver was none other than Simone Biles. While the record-breaking Olympic gymnast is easily one of our favorite celebs to see on the red carpet, her 2024 CMAs dress didn't quite do her justice. From the lackluster fit to the just-too-long hem, this gunmetal-gray gown didn't quite sparkle on the legendary athlete.

Look, we admire Kimberly Schlapman's bold choice of dress, especially against all the boring looks we suffered through on the CMAs red carpet. That said, we still have a few bones to pick with Schlapman's unusual black-and-white ensemble. Between the oversized bow and the beauty queen beat, we'd be lying if we said we didn't give this one a double take. Above all, Schlapman's exaggerated 'fit reminded us of the beautiful — but weird — Barbie doll looks of the '80s and '90s. (You know the ones.)

Like Kimberly Schlapman, Taylor Frankie Paul marched to the beat of her own drum at the 58th CMA Awards. While we commend her dedication to doing things differently, we can't say we felt so warmly about her dress. Like the walls of the gaudy Las Vegas hotel lobbies of yesteryear, Paul's bedazzled golden gown was ... well, it was something. We'd love to see it on our next trip to Sin City, but we're not so sure this style feels at home in Nashville.

Was Lauren Watkins getting ready for prom or the 58th CMAs with this ruched red look? Your guess is as good as ours. With strappy platform pumps and a dress cut down to there (to borrow a line from the great Barry Manilow's classic "Copacabana"), Watkins' sizzling halter dress felt more appropriate for homecoming than the CMAs. There's no denying that the Nashville singing sensation looked as gorgeous as ever — we just wish she put a little more personality into her awards-show attire.

Last but not least, we have Maddie Marlow, a blond bombshell dressed in an underwhelming sea of sequins. Marlow's strapless gown had all the makings of a best-dressed look on paper, but the overall execution was another story altogether. Unfortunately for Marlow, between her garment's ill fit and her messy hair look, the ensemble felt entirely out of place on the red carpet. But fear not, Ms. Marlow — there's always the 2025 CMAs to try your luck again!

Now, if you're down for even more fashion fun, check out the best and worst-dressed celebrities of 2024.