https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsjw2g80gj8
Beyond taking part in the show-opening medley alongside fellow co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton and other talented women, Reba McEntire made headlines of her own during ABC's Wednesday night (Nov. 13) broadcast of the 53rd annual CMA Awards with a brash and beautiful performance of "Fancy."
The hit song was written by reclusive country singer Bobbie Gentry, the co-host of the Country Music Association's first-ever awards show back in 1967. Gentry's Grammy-winning recording first appeared on the 1970 album Fancy. McEntire cut her beloved cover version 20 years later for the album Rumor Has It.
McEntire shed a flowing robe, Ric Flair style, during the performance, revealing a red dress that was, for lack of better words, pretty dang fancy. The wardrobe choice likely paid homage to the red dress worn by Gentry on the cover of her Fancy album, the "red dancing dress" in the song or McEntire's iconic outfit from the 1993 CMA Awards.
That wasn't the only costume change. As the song reached its crescendo, McEntire converted her dress into a red pantsuit in a moment that wowed the crowd at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
As of Friday (Nov. 15), the official YouTube post of McEntire's "Fancy" performance nears a million views, making it second only to the opening medley that teamed McEntire, Underwood and Parton with the women of country, including Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Tanya Tucker, and the Highwomen. Both videos featuring McEntire even eclipse views for the pop crossover videos teaming Chris Stapleton with Pink and Lady Antebellum with Halsey—not to mention Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves' moving "Rainbow Connection" cover.
McEntire is no stranger to the CMA Awards. She's a four time Female Vocalist of the Year and the 1986 Entertainer of the Year. Only three acts involving women (Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks and Taylor Swift) have won Entertainer of the Year since McEntire's big night. Garth Brooks won it in 2019 over Underwood, the first woman nominee in three years.
Now Watch: Songs Every Reba McEntire Fan Knows By Heart
