Country music’s biggest night of the year has officially come and gone for 2019. The Academy of Country Music Awards happened on Sunday, April 7th, and it was definitely a night full of fun moments and great wins for some of the genre’s biggest, brightest stars. There were a lot of noteworthy moments at the awards show, as is to be expected when there’s so much star power in one room. Duo Dan + Shay scored more awards than any other artist or group, Kacey Musgraves picked up wins for Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year, Ashley McBryde delivered an amazing performance that wowed everyone, and there were lots of great duets.
But perhaps most the most important moment of them all was Blake Shelton’s choice of beverage.
No, seriously, what Shelton was drinking the entire night was a huge moment during the ACM Awards! Or at least it was on social media, since many people couldn’t help but joke about what he was carrying around all night. And really, once you see it, you won’t be able to blame anyone for that!
Shelton was drinking a massive beer — and it looked so funny that everyone was making fun of it online.
Can they please start selling those size beers at @blakeshelton concerts from now on!?? It would save me a bunch of beer trips..🤣🤠😂🍺@OleRedNashville @hillerj76 @OleRedGburg @OleRedTish pic.twitter.com/ZPV0AP53Zh
— ThatErinCarrillo💕 (@ErinRasor) April 8, 2019
How did this happen? While host Reba McEntire was delivering her opening monologue, Shelton, who has hosted the show in the past, stood up to jokingly ask her if she needed any help (McEntire has hosted 16 times now, so, obviously, she didn’t).
.@blakeshelton was WAY more than good up on the #ACMAwards stage! pic.twitter.com/HOE1vllKDG
— CMT (@CMT) April 8, 2019
When McEntire said no, he seemed to relax. Then he pulled out a gigantic beer.
Blake Shelton just came here to party... alright ya'll!? #ACMs pic.twitter.com/9JccUSluKF
— Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) April 8, 2019
He said, “I’ll be good, I’m just gonna be back here.” Delish estimates that the glass was about three feet tall, about a yard of ale containing maybe 2 1/2 imperial pints of beer, which is about 50 fluid ounces of beer. Fans were very into it:
Absolutely loving the @ACMawards Loved seeing @blakeshelton and his huge beer cup!
— Amber Hale (@AmberHa22350675) April 8, 2019
Some said this made them want to hang out with Shelton even more. He seems like a good time!
@blakeshelton knows it was national beer day. And this is the type of person I need to hang out with more. https://t.co/AA04ajUx9f
— Kelly Prozialeck (@kprozialeck) April 8, 2019
A few viewers were wondering where they could get their own. He really should start selling these on tour.
I need one of those @blakeshelton #ACMAwards beer cups!
— PJ (@OnAirWithPJ) April 8, 2019
Some pointed out that it makes sense since, you know, the show was in Vegas. That’s true!
When @blakeshelton busts out a 3 foot beer, you know you're in Vegas! #HornsUpATL #ACMawards
— 94.9 THE BULL (@949TheBull) April 8, 2019
But that definitely wasn’t Shelton’s only big moment of the night. For one thing, his ex-wife Miranda Lambert almost definitely shaded him during her performance, and everyone noticed.
No wonder @blakeshelton had such a big beer. I’d need a drink that big to watch my ex absolutely kill it on stage too👏🏻👏🏻🤷🏼♀️ #ACMawards2019
— Faithe Inman (@faitheinman24) April 8, 2019
Apparently, while signing a medley of hits including “Little Red Wagon,” Lambert adjusted one of the lyric lines. Instead of singing, “I live in Oklahoma” like she does in the original song, she sang, “I got the hell out of Oklahoma.” Lambert lived in Oklahoma with Shelton when they were married.
Does anyone else think Miranda Lambert is basically telling Blake Shelton she hates him with this mashup at the #ACMAwards or is it just me?
— Julia Demmin (@juliademmin214) April 8, 2019
This was particularly awkward, since Shelton was sitting right next to his girlfriend, Gwen Stefani, the whole night. Yikes!
Of course, viewers picked up on that. How could you not?
Miranda Lambert said “I got the hell outta Oklahoma” while Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani were in the audience #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/dybonYBoCl
— Joe (@iJoeJoee) April 8, 2019
But whether Lambert meant to shade Shelton or not, a lot of fans weren’t into it. Many were actually happy he didn’t stoop to the same level.
Blake Shelton showed Miranda Lambert how to do it with talent without jab a relationship ends 4 years ago, and that’s a classy act #ACMAwards
— CharilyR (@xx_lorrie) April 8, 2019
Some were annoyed with Lambert for bringing things up again. They’ve been broken up for a while!
Why is @mirandalambert still pissing about Blake Shelton? Gurlll you had three men after him, aren’t you supposed to be happily married now ? Give it a rest 🤢🤢🤢 #ACMAwards pic.twitter.com/KxZclKK4Ul
— MeiQi (@BobbyChou5) April 8, 2019
In the end, though, it appears Shelton got the last word. He delivered an awesome performance of his new “God’s Country” single, which had what The Washington Post called “an unexpected gothic vibe” that “seems to be working.”
I am so proud of this man, best performance of the night!!!! #GodsCountry @blakeshelton pt 1 pic.twitter.com/d0ki4S7FQZ
— Lene, fan of good music and good people ☀️ (@BSandGSworld) April 8, 2019
And of course, you can’t forget that beer. He had that giant beer.
Blake Shelton is a whole mood at the #ACMAwards. pic.twitter.com/YLA9dj8GHH
— E! News (@enews) April 8, 2019
Fans only have one thing left to say. And it’s a good statement:
Blake Shelton is a gangsta cowboy musician.
— THE SAGE (@LamideAriyo) April 2, 2019
Yup. Sounds about right!