‘She Needs to Cover Up’: Miranda Lambert Sparks Backlash for Cleavage-Baring Dress on the PCCA Red Carpet

Country music’s biggest stars were out in full force at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, turning the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville into a runway of glam and glitz on September 26. But while the night was packed with show-stopping looks and dazzling outfits, one name stood out and had everyone talking: Miranda Lambert.

The 40-year-old country queen didn’t just show up; she made a statement. She dazzled in a stunning $2,200 long-sleeved V-neck sequined dress, with ruched detailing along its plunging neckline, creating a perfect blend of elegance and allure.

Its sharp, structured shoulders added a hint of power to the look, creating a defined silhouette that was impossible to miss.

Lambert elevated her look with a pair of sleek brown $135 Kaye Crystal heels and a matching clutch that tied the ensemble together flawlessly. She didn’t hold back on the bling either. She accessorized with a striking gold and blue pebble necklace that glistened against her outfit, along with a few rings to add that extra touch of sparkle.

Lambert’s beauty game was just as strong. She wore her blonde locks in soft, loose waves that fell effortlessly over her shoulders, while her makeup was flawlessly done, accentuating her natural glow. As Lambert graced the red carpet arm-in-arm with her husband, Brendan McLoughlin, fans couldn’t help but gush over the couple’s stunning presence.

“Gorgeous 🔥🔥,” one admirer commented, while another noted, “They set the PCCAs on 🔥🔥.” Others couldn’t get enough of Lambert’s outfit. They shared comments like, “An icon and a bombshell” while another added, “One of my new fav looks.”

One more fan summed it up perfectly, “So beautiful!!! 🩵 We 💓’em!!!” More positive comments like, “She’s amazing” and “Absolutely beautiful” were hard to miss.

But it wasn’t all praise and applause. While many were swooning over her look, a few critics felt otherwise, chiming in with comments like, “She needs to cover up more!!” Others asked, “Why does she always have to bare her chest? Always!”

Another person wrote, “Women don’t wear slips under their dresses anymore…And it shows[sic]” One netizen even expressed disappointment writing, “Come on she’s not 20 anymore…ridiculous.”

However, Lambert, known for marching to the beat of her drum, didn’t let the naysayers dull her shine. She ended up taking home one of the night’s biggest honors: the People’s Choice Country Icon Award. And true to form, Lambert wasn’t done turning heads just yet.

When it was time to accept her award, the country superstar rocked a completely new look—a fierce leather dress ensemble paired with a classic cowboy hat. It was the same edgy outfit she sported during her powerful onstage performance.

Taking to the stage, Lambert couldn’t hide her genuine surprise as she held the award in her hands. “Thank you so much. It’s so weird for me to stand up here and hold an icon award,” she began, her voice full of emotion. “I mean, to me, an icon is who I grew up listening to with my daddy play.”

The singer then gave a heartfelt nod to the legends who shaped her musical journey, name-dropping artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and Guy Clark.

But the speech wouldn’t be complete without a special shoutout to the people who’ve stood by her side through thick and thin: her fans. “I feel like I’ve been able to make so many great memories in my life and in my career because of fans,” she added.

With a second show-stopping outfit and an acceptance speech that touched hearts, Lambert proved once again why she’s more than just a country star—she’s an icon. And if there’s one thing Lambert knows how to do, is to keep people talking.

Take July, for instance, when she found herself at the center of controversy at the Montana Festival. A video shared by an attendee on July 14 showed Lambert reprimanding the crowd during her performance, which caused a lot of people to leave.

Accompanying the footage with text that read, “Miranda reprimands crowd at Under The Big Sky in Montana,” the video showed the artist addressing the crowd. Miranda Lambert, who donned a cowboy hat and denim dress with tassels, was unafraid to give the audience a piece of her mind.

Lambert highlighted the fact that the crowd’s attention was not on her. Speaking with her southern twang, she asserted, “I can see your head is not turned the right way, which is this way,” pointing to herself as she said the last phrase.

Cheers could be heard from some fans who reacted to the star’s obvious annoyance. Lambert went on to say, “So, if you came to visit, you can do it somewhere else.”

Addressing concertgoers who were eager to be there, Lambert stated, “If you came to sing and hear some country music and drink some beer […] then we’re doing that tonight.”

Chastising the crowd further, Lambert asked, “Are we clear?” while raising her hands. She then pointed to specific people in the crowd and asked if they were done being dramatic, indicating that there must have been a slight scuffle among some individuals.

“Fighting is not ok […] And it’s always the girls. We get crazy!” Lambert exclaimed with a chuckle. Shifting the mood completely, she then raised a cup to toast with the audience.

“Cheers, everybody. I’m gonna wait it out,” she said while raising the cup in the air with her right hand before taking a sip from the straw that was inside. Upon realizing that her cup was empty, Lambert turned to her stage crew members and shook the cup, gesturing that she wanted a refill.

“Mine’s empty,” she mentioned before someone swiftly came to take the cup from her and replace it with a new one. “This looks like a good time for a drink y’all!” shouted the “Somethin’ Bad” artist with her arms stretched out.

Underneath the post, the TikToker who shared the video online captioned, “Thoughts? 🤷🏻‍♀️ #mirandalambert #underthebigsky #whitefishmontana #countrymusic.” Many online observers took to the comment section to discuss what happened.

“We left. As did LOTS of the crowd,” revealed someone who had been in the audience when Lambert said her piece. Another social media user criticized, “This is terrible,” while someone else stated, “I stopped liking Miranda for this exact reason.”

However, while the majority did not agree with what Lambert did and thought her actions were distasteful, some felt differently. “Honestly she was amazing. We were right up front and loved every second of it,” praised another concertgoer.

Similarly, an admirer gushed, “🔥🔥🔥🔥 I LOVE her. Always have. Has been a huge influence for me. She is just brutally honest. Something so many of us lack. Honesty!”

Lambert has always been refreshingly candid about her feelings, especially when it comes to her performances. Whether she’s belting out lyrics or sharing her thoughts, the country star is never afraid to express herself.