scorecardThe most daring looks celebrities have worn at the ACM Awards over the years
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The most daring looks celebrities have worn at the ACM Awards over the years

Amanda Krause   

The most daring looks celebrities have worn at the ACM Awards over the years
Dolly Parton attends the 2016 ACM Awards.C Flanigan/Getty Images
  • The 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards are being hosted in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday.
  • Over the years, top country musicians, models, and more have attended the event in daring fashion.

John Denver accepted the album of the year award in 1975 while wearing a sparkling, denim tuxedo.

John Denver accepted the album of the year award in 1975 while wearing a sparkling, denim tuxedo.
John Denver attends the 1975 ACM Awards.      Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/Getty Images

His denim jacket had long tails, while his vest underneath was embellished with ruffles.

The musician also wore a glitter-covered bow tie and his signature wire-rimmed glasses.

Barbi Benton's dress in 1981 had three daring details.

Barbi Benton
Barbi Benton attends the 1981 ACM Awards.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

The model's revealing gown included a low-cut neckline, a lace-up corset bodice, and a thigh-high slit in its ruffled chiffon skirt.

Barbara Mandrell chose a copper catsuit with cutouts for the 1995 event.

Barbara Mandrell chose a copper catsuit with cutouts for the 1995 event.
Barbara Mandrell attends the 1995 ACM Awards.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

The garment's bodice was styled like a halter top, with a plunging V neckline and thin straps that wrapped around her back.

But it didn't stop there. Underneath the shining material was a see-through, sequin-covered piece that added long sleeves and more sparkle to the look.

Shania Twain took home two awards in 1996 while wearing a glitter-covered gown with a keyhole cutout.

Shania Twain took home two awards in 1996 while wearing a glitter-covered gown with a keyhole cutout.
Shania Twain attends the 1996 ACM Awards.      Barry King/Getty Images

The halter neckline of her black dress was lined with diamonds, as was its mesh-covered cutout.

Neal McCoy made a bold choice in wearing a Mickey Mouse vest in 1997

Neal McCoy made a bold choice in wearing a Mickey Mouse vest in 1997
Neal McCoy attends the 1997 ACM Awards.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

At the time, the ACM Awards were hosted by Universal and sponsored by Universal Studios Hollywood — a competitor theme park to Disney World.

That said, McCoy kept the rest of his outfit simple. He wore blue jeans, a black blazer, a white button-up shirt, and a black cowboy hat.

Each member of The Chicks wore a different bright shade in 1999.

Each member of The Chicks wore a different bright shade in 1999.
The Chicks attend the 1999 ACM Awards.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

Emily Robison's orange getup included a netted bralette and a mid-rise, tie-dye skirt, while Martie Maguire donned a similar outfit in pink.

Natalie Maines, however, differed from the group by wearing a baby-blue minidress with a floor-length duster on top.

Faith Hill stepped onto the 2000 ACM Awards red carpet in a daring wrap dress.

Faith Hill stepped onto the 2000 ACM Awards red carpet in a daring wrap dress.
Faith Hill attends the 2000 ACM Awards.      J. Vespa/Getty Images

Her white, sleeveless gown had a thick row of ruched fabric that wrapped around her back, and a similar effect created its floor-length skirt and thigh-high slit.

Pamela Anderson attended in 2002 wearing an aqua-colored halter dress with a plunging neckline.

Pamela Anderson attended in 2002 wearing an aqua-colored halter dress with a plunging neckline.
Pamela Anderson attends the 2002 ACM Awards.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

A thin string held the gown's two straps together, and fabric butterflies lined its bodice.

To complete the look, Anderson added blue eye shadow and a crystal-covered purse.

LeAnn Rimes also wore a daring gown that year.

LeAnn Rimes also wore a daring gown that year.
LeAnn Rimes attends the 2002 ACM Awards.      Steve Granitz/Getty Images

From the front, her peach-colored dress looked simple. But when the singer turned around, you could see that its backless design reached her backside.

The back of the skirt was also split in the middle, revealing her strappy gold heels.

Martina McBride wore a micro minidress on the 2003 red carpet.

Martina McBride wore a micro minidress on the 2003 red carpet.
Martina McBride attends the 2003 ACM Awards.      Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Not only did the embroidered look have a daring, short skirt, but it was also backless with thin, gray straps holding it up.

McBride paired the dress with a gold, beaded purse, matching sandals, and a choppy bob hairstyle.

Nicole Kidman kept the backless trend going when she walked the orange carpet in 2009.

Nicole Kidman kept the backless trend going when she walked the orange carpet in 2009.
Nicole Kidman attends the 2009 ACM Awards.      Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Her black, sparkle-covered gown was classic in the front and bold in the back.

It had a high neckline, long sleeves, and a floor-length skirt — but almost no fabric in the back. Its open design revealed her spine and dipped to her backside.

In 2011, Reese Witherspoon showed the edgy side of her style with a lace minidress.

In 2011, Reese Witherspoon showed the edgy side of her style with a lace minidress.
Reese Witherspoon attends the 2011 ACM Awards.      Christopher Polk/Getty Images

The tan dress was covered with black lace and strips of tulle, creating the illusion that Witherspoon was naked under the sheer fabric.

Shakira had the most daring dress of the night at the 2014 ACM Awards.

Shakira had the most daring dress of the night at the 2014 ACM Awards.
Shakira attends the 2014 ACM Awards.      Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Zuhair Murad designed the singer's deep-blue gown, which had long sleeves, a mermaid-style skirt, and cutouts that extended across Shakira's shoulders, chest, hips, and thighs.

Miranda Lambert wore a flowing gown fit for a goddess in 2015.

Miranda Lambert wore a flowing gown fit for a goddess in 2015.
Miranda Lambert attends the 2015 ACM Awards.      Rick Diamond/Getty Images

The elegant look was also daring, with mesh-paneled straps, a plunging rectangle neckline, and a thigh-high slit on one side of its flowing skirt.

It was designed by Bibhu Mohapatra.

Dolly Parton's dazzling, rainbow-colored suit stood out in 2016.

Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton attends the 2016 ACM Awards.      C Flanigan/Getty Images

Parton made a few outfit changes throughout the night, but her multicolored look was the boldest.

She wore her crystal-covered jacket over a burgundy corset and yellow tie, and a sparkling, beaded belt sat across her hips.

Carrie Underwood put a glamorous twist on daring fashion in 2017.

Carrie Underwood put a glamorous twist on daring fashion in 2017.
Carrie Underwood attends the 2017 ACM Awards.      John Shearer/Getty Images

Her naked-style dress, designed by LaBourjoisie, was crafted from tan mesh and lined with crystals in a leaf-style design.

And because the high-neck gown had a column shape, fluffy tulle was attached at the hips to add volume.

Last year, Mickey Guyton made a bold, shining appearance backstage.

Last year, Mickey Guyton made a bold, shining appearance backstage.
Mickey Guyton attends the 2021 ACM Awards.      John Shearer/Getty Images

She originally walked the red carpet in a Naeem Khan gown but later changed into this metallic number that had long sleeves and a deeply-scooped neckline.

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