On March 1st, Reba McEntire revealed the nominees for the 53rd Academy of Country Music AwardsWhile this year’s slate is filled with returning nominees, one of the rookies vying for some hardware is Carly Pearce, who is up for New Female Vocalist of the Year.

“It’s so surreal to be nominated,” Carly told us over the phone. “I think trying to contain my excitement on an airplane was kind of difficult, but it is something that I’ve wanted to see come to fruition my entire life. It was a moment that reminded me of when I first heard ‘Every Little Thing’ on the radio and then when it went number one — it’s like these out-of-body moments where you don’t even really believe that it’s happening.”

And Carly still can’t believe that she’s nominated for an ACM award. “It definitely hasn’t clicked yet. I still can’t even believe I had a number one song! Maybe in a year all of it will make sense. Right now it’s just a blur,” she laughed. 

Singer-songwriter Carly Pearce performs during the 2017 CMT Next Women Of Country Celebration at City Winery Nashville on November 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Source: Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America via ZIMBIO)

Being nominated for New Female Vocalist of the Year is somewhat of a full-circle moment for Carly, as just one year ago she was hosting the red carpet, chatting with her fellow artists about who they couldn’t wait to see. “I think that there are a few things in your career that are just pivotal moments of real honor, like being recognized as a nominee for an award. Winning would just be one of the highest honors I think as an artist you could receive,” she said when we asked what it would mean for her to win New Female Vocalist of the Year. 

Other ladies up for New Female Vocalist of the Year include Lauren Alaina, Danielle Bradbery, and RaeLynn, who are all good friends of Pearce. “Immediately all four of us girls were on a group chat just saying congrats,” Pearce shared with us. “It’s nice to see all of us kind of just coming up together. It’s nice when you really do feel a comradery in a sisterhood of some sort.”

Make sure to see if Carly Pearce wins New Female Vocalist of the Year by watching the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards LIVE from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 15th @ 8PM ET/PT on CBS.

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  • Juliet Schroder

    Juliet is the founder and executive producer/host of Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country. When not reporting on the latest news in pop culture and country music, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the latest fashion trends. Juliet holds a B.S. in marketing from St. John's University.

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