In an alternate reality,Taylor Swiftcould’ve run the show at the 2023 CMA Awards!
During the 57th AnnualCMA Awardson Wednesday night, returning hostsLuke BryanandPeyton Manningcame prepared with plenty of jokes — and Swift andTravis Kelce’s budding romance certainly wasn’t off the table.
The duo’s opening monologue in Nashville included jokes about Jelly Roll’s face tattoos, Manning’s athletic family, and a little sing-along between the two. But they started it all with some Kelce and Swift hilarity.
“We are back, and you know what that means,” Manning, 47, told the crowd at the start of their monologue.
“Yup, Travis and Taylor weren’t available,” Bryan, 47, responded.
And the jokes kept flying for the quarterback and country music star, as they continued to set each other up with punchlines throughout the night.
“Luke, do you know the difference between Taylor Swift and the New York Jets,” Manning then asked, before his co-host responded: “Uh, Taylor can sell out a stadium.”
“You nailed it,” Manning replied. “I had you do that punchline, Luke, so I wouldn’t get in trouble.”
The New York Jets organization didn’t seem to take the joke lightly on X (formerly Twitter), where the franchiseeventually clapped backat Manning with an image of what appeared to be a sold-out MetLife Stadium.
“what are we talking about Peyton,” the team wrote.
Bryan and Manning then got the crowd warmed up for what will end up being a night of memorable performances from the likes ofKelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs,Dan + Shay, Jelly Roll,Cody Johnson,K. Michelle,Post Malone,Tanya Tucker, and plenty more.
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning speak onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards.Terry Wyatt/Getty
Terry Wyatt/Getty
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Judd laterspoke about the performanceto reporters in the CMA Awards press room. “It was too much. He’s so powerful and great at what he does,” she said. “I was so nervous and so excited.”
“I don’t know how many more of these moments I have left, but I can tell you — that was definitely top 10 for me,” Judd added. “Jelly Roll is a force to be reckoned with.”
source: people.com
