Last night’s 2014 CMA Awards contained plenty of surprise appearances, but apparently one unexpected cameo did not sit well with country music fans.
Ariana Grande took the stage with Little Big Town to perform her hit "Bang, Bang" and while the audience on hand seemed to enjoy the show, folks watching at home took to the Internet to voice their displeasure.
Here are some sample tweets:
"Ariana Grande doesn’t belong at the CMAs (especially in that outfit)"
"Why is Ariana Grande performing at the country music awards if she’s not even a country singer? I’m confused."
"Still wildly confused as to why Ariana Grande was performing Bang Bang at the CMAs."
Needless to say, there was a good deal of confusion as to why a pop singer was performing at an event that’s meant to celebrate country music.
Fortunately, several members of Ariana’s always-fervent fan base pointed out that there are countless examples of country musicians crossing genre lines from Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt" to Nelly’s collaboration with Tim McGraw.
More important, however, is the fact that nothing about Grande’s performance suggests that she was "trying to be country" as so many online detractors claimed.
She took the stage in her usual attire and performed her song in the same style she always has.
As for claims that her styling was inappropriate for the occasion – big hair and semi-revealing clothing have been a part of country music since the early days of Dolly Parton.
Check out some of the most memorable CMA fashion statements from last night’s show in the gallery below:
