Miranda Lambert was missing from the 2023 CMT Music Awards despite being a nominee.
Where was she?
As always, she was putting in more work.
Most of country music's biggest stars dazzled on the red carpet of the 2023 CMT Music Awards,
at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
Among the star-studded crowd on April 2, 2023, were Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Blake
Shelton, and Gwen Stefani.
But one major presence in country music was missing from the action: "Mama's Broken Heart"
singer Miranda Lambert.
The Texas native was nominated for Female Video of the Year for her 2022 song "Actin' Up."
The video has gotten over three million YouTube views and raised over $15,000 in donations
for the MuttNation Foundation Fundraiser to benefit animal shelter pets.
Lambert's last album also earned three Grammy nominations, but the CMTs are known for choosing
winners based on fan votes.
While her fans may be disappointed by the singer's absence, she had a mighty good excuse.
Lambert was over a thousand miles away from Austin, in Las Vegas for her residency.
The singer debuted her "Velvet Rodeo" residency and joined the iconic lineup on the Las Vegas
Strip at Planet Hollywood in September 2022.
Her set list includes hit songs and fan favorites, including "Bluebird" and "Only Prettier."
"This will definitely be a one-of-a-kind Miranda Lambert experience.
That's the point of Vegas."
The CMT Music Awards and a performance date for her residency coincided on April 2, keeping
the singer from attending one of country music's biggest award shows.
Lambert had also recently canceled one of her residency dates on March 31 because of
an unknown illness, leaving her on vocal rest.
In her Twitter apology for the cancellation, she specifically promised,
"I am working hard to get better for the shows on Saturday and Sunday."
This isn't the first time that Lambert has skipped the CMT Music Awards.
In 2019, the country music star was similarly a no-show at the ceremony despite being up
for several awards, including female video of the year for her single "Keeper of the
Flame" and collaborative video of the Year for her song with Jason Aldean, "Drowns The Whiskey."
That year, Lambert was actually in the area of the city where the ceremony was held.
She and her husband, Brendan McLoughlin, were spotted at the Billboard Country Power Players
in Nashville on June 5, 2019, the day ahead of the awards.
According to Us Weekly, she and McLoughlin graced the event to support her longtime manager,
Marion Kraft, one of the honorees that night.
Two years later, in 2021, Lambert returned to the CMT Music Awards — and she certainly
didn't disappoint.
Along with her "Marfa Tapes" collaborators Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, Lambert sang
an acoustic rendition of her hit song "Tequila Does" in a pre-taped "Campfire Sessions" segment.
She tied with Maren Morris as the most-nominated artist at the CMT Music Awards that year,
including video of the year for her song "Settling Down."
She also earned a nom for her song "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" with Elle King,
but she ultimately did not take home any awards.
The 2022 CMT Music Awards were a huge night for Lambert, though.
She nabbed the trophy for female video of the year for her hit song "If I Was A Cowboy,"
besting other artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, and former winner Gabby Barrett.
Lambert said during her acceptance speech,
"I'm so damn happy to be here.
I'm so happy to be just a part of the women of country music today.
We are really starting to kick some ass, and I'm so excited about it!"
The "Bluebird" singer credited her video director, Trey Fanjoy, for working with her for the
last 20 years of her music career, adding,
"Trey, I love you.
This one's for you.
We are cowboys, and we are going to continue to be.
Cheers, y'all!"
Despite missing out on this year's CMT Music Awards, Lambert made an appearance at the
2023 Grammy Awards in February, where she was nominated for best country song and best
country Album for her studio record "Palomino."
"I'm redneck enough to take my shoes off at the Grammys!"
The singer returned to the red carpet after skipping last year's Grammy ceremony due to
her overwhelming schedule, according to Us Weekly.
At the time, she told ABC News that — despite being absent from the ceremony — she is
grateful for all the "Grammy love" she received, saying,
"I got to play on the Grammys last year, and I got to take one home, and I was just so thankful.
I'm grateful for what I already have."