Star-studded Lineup: Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce Team Up for Spectacular Opening of 2023 CMA Awards
Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan hosted the 2023 CMA Awards, playfully teasing country music icons like Taylor Swift Experience the hilarious opening that also included Travis Kelce
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan playfully teased the biggest stars of country music, including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, while hosting the 2023 CMA Awards.
In 2022, Bryan and Manning, the cohosts of the awards show, humorously mentioned Swift's popularity and the inefficiency of a certain football team.
"Luke, do you know what sets Taylor Swift apart from the New York Jets?" Manning contemplated. "Well, Taylor can easily fill up a stadium!" Bryan retorted.
The retired NFL quarterback applauded Bryan for nailing it, teasing, “I had you do that punchline Luke so I don’t get in trouble.”
At the CMA Awards, Manning and Bryan engaged in a conversation about Jelly Roll's distinctive face tattoo, including the participation of Manning's younger brother, Eli Manning.
“Jelly Roll is incredibly inspiring; he even has my mom contemplating getting a facial tattoo," Bryan stated, to which Peyton quickly retorted, “The Mannings are already ahead of you, buddy. Eli already got one.” The former Indianapolis Colts player then displayed a photo on stage depicting Eli, aged 42, with comical sketches adorning his face.
Concluding their opening monologue, the emcees joined forces and performed a duet on stage. As Bryan began to sing a song, he playfully challenged Peyton to finish it. To taunt the singer, Peyton humorously claimed that he couldn't recall Bryan's hit track, "One Margarita."
Bryan and Peyton easily secured the gig for a second time in October. According to Bryan, they were approached by the CMAs as soon as they walked off the stage last year, asking them to sign up again. During an appearance on Good Morning America, Bryan hinted at their plans for the ceremony, stating that their main role is to be the master of ceremonies and let the music and artists shine. However, they also plan to come up with a few funny jokes and poke fun at some people. Ultimately, their goal is to be themselves, engage the people in the room, and ensure that the audience at home is having fun and smiling.
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. Disney/Art Streiber
Peyton and Bryan's chemistry was apparent at the 2022 awards show, but they had differing opinions on their approach to their roles. In a preview shared by Parade in October, Bryan acknowledged their individual strengths and the enjoyment of combining them. He described himself as more relaxed and spontaneous, while Peyton preferred a more rehearsed approach. Peyton added that she often had to remind Bryan to stick to the teleprompter.
The pair's monologue at the 2022 ceremony gained attention as Peyton brought up a memorable incident from the previous year when Carrie Underwood gave Bryan a skeptical look while he was hosting alone. Peyton humorously remarked, "Carrie Underwood and I share a lot of similarities. We both collaborate with Brad Paisley, we've both appeared on Sunday Night Football frequently, and we're both anxious about what Luke Bryan might say tonight."
Bryan chimed in, "Honestly, I'm even nervous about what Luke Bryan might say tonight."
During the 2021 awards show, Bryan made a joke that playfully acknowledged Underwood's reaction to his ribbing of Aaron Rodgers' anti-vaccination stance. Underwood, 40, was seen giving Bryan a stern look after he made the joke, which happened to align with her husband, Mike Fisher, publicly supporting Rodgers' position.
Bryan quipped, "Whatever makes you country, you are welcome here tonight. Rest assured, we're strictly following all the health protocols to ensure everyone's safety. It's wonderful to be surrounded by fellow artists who have been tested or vaccinated. Or maybe both? Just kidding."
The camera then panned to Underwood, who notably did not laugh at Bryan’s barb.
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