Kelsea Ballerini Is a Bronzed Goddess in Sparkly Abs-Baring Dress at iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025
Kelsea Ballerini came to slay.
The "Cowboys Cry Too" singer was among the stars at the 2025 iHeart Radio Music Awards on March 17, where she is introducing her friend Kenny Chesney ahead of his performance.
Ballerini, 31, made a sexy entrance in a black sequin dress with no sleeves, but a major cutout in the middle that showed off her toned abs. The number also featured a daring thigh-high slit that showed off her mesh ankle-strap heels.
Her makeup had a sultry rocker edge to it with the black eyeliner and pink-toned nude lip, while her hair served beachy glam courtesy of her effortless mermaid waves.
Related: iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025: LL Cool J to Host as Performers Bad Bunny, GloRilla and More Revealed (Exclusive)
Ballerini, who attended without boyfriend Chase Stokes, is currently touring her latest album Patterns. In February, she took a short break (filled with chicken nuggets and naps) during her string of shows, which launched on Jan. 21 before hitting the road again at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on March 13. The tour will continue through April 9 at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, South Carolina.
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On the red carpet with iHeartRadio, the Grammy-nominated singer said her first headline arena tour has been a "dream" she's worked towards in the past decade she's been releasing music.
"To finally be able to be here and and play those stages in the rooms that I've opened for all my favorite artists in, and seen my favorite artists in, it's really full circle."
Check out all of PEOPLE's full iHeartRadio Music Awards coverage .Ballerini said she makes sure to put on a show that can resonate with every fan in the audience.
"I make it a point that I have a show for everyone, whether you want to be there for escapism and [are looking to] disassociate from whatever you have going on in your life, or you want to feel connected to yourself and your feelings."
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Related: Kelsea Ballerini Says She 'Can't F---ing Breathe' in Her Minidress with Cone Cups at the 2025 Grammys
Ballerini's last red carpet appearance was at the 2025 Grammys. Instead of method-dressing like her discography (which she did in 2023 when she wore a yellow Prabal Gurung dress tied to Subject to Change), she channeled '90s supermodel glam in a Tamara Ralph Haute Couture black minidress with pointed cups. She also wore a white floor-length cape that coordinated with Stokes' white Dolce & Gabbana suit.
The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards air live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Fans can also tune in live to iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
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