Awards

Carrie Underwood Takes the Stage for the First Time Since Her Face Injury at ACM Awards

By Meredith B. Kile‍

Carrie Underwood returned to the stage for the first time since her fall outside her home last November, performing her her single, “Cry Pretty,” at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday.

Sparkling in a fringed black-and-silver sequined mini dress that featured a plunging neckline, the 35-year-old singer looked radiant with her long blonde locks naturally flowing. Her makeup look consisted of a smoky eye shadow with glitter underneath her bottom lashes.

Underwood, who looked better than ever, beautifully belted her latest single, and following the performance was given a standing ovation. 

Carrie Underwood ACM Awards Performance
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Underwood released “Cry Pretty” on Wednesday ahead of her performance, and a source recently told ET that the 35-year-old singer "is at the top of her game" and excited about her upcoming musical endeavors nearly five months after a scary fall.

The GRAMMY winner was rushed to the hospital on Nov. 10, after she badly injured herself while walking outside her house in Nashville, Tennessee. Underwood broke her wrist, which required surgery and a titanium implant, and also had to get 40 to 50 stitches in her face.

The source added that, after recuperating from her injuries -- and with her husband, Mike Fisher, returning to hockey after a brief retirement --  Underwood "thinks this is the best time to go for what she really wants."

"She strives for perfection," the source noted.

Underwood said that "Cry Pretty" -- which is part of a full-length album she's planning to release later this year -- reflects some of her personal experiences over the last year. The singer has shied away from showing her face in social media photos since her fall, telling fans earlier this year,  "I am determined to make 2018 amazing and I want to share things with you along the way. And when I am ready to get in front of a camera, I want you all to understand why I might look a bit different."

"Carrie hid her face because she did need to heal," the source told ET, and added that her appearance post-accident won’t be dramatically different.

Earlier this month, Underwood posted the first photo of her full face to Instagram since the accident, although the photo was taken from relatively far away as she rehearsed with her bandmates.

Check out the video below for more on the songstress' lengthy recovery and upcoming music.

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