AceShowbiz - Shania Twain is gearing up for her debut as the host of the 61st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, set to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and stream on Prime Video on May 17. After two years with Reba McEntire as the host, Twain steps into the spotlight with enthusiasm to reconnect with fellow artists and fans alike.

“It’s a chance for me to just get back with everybody,” Twain shares, highlighting her excitement to engage with many new artists she hasn’t met yet. She describes the ACM Awards as a unique opportunity to immerse herself fully in the experience and catch up with the country music community.

Tickets for the event and associated ACM Awards week happenings are available through AXS.com, offering fans the chance to witness this landmark ceremony live.

Shania Twain’s history with the ACM Awards is rich and storied. In 1996, she earned the top new female vocalist award and saw her album The Woman in Me win album of the year. Four years later, she was honored with the prestigious entertainer of the year award. More recently, in 2022, she received the ACM Poet’s Award, recognizing her outstanding songwriting contributions to country music.

Her impressive career milestones include the 1997 release of Come on Over, which spent over 150 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and holds certified double diamond status from the RIAA, marking it as one of the best-selling albums ever. The 2002 album Up! also enjoyed five weeks atop the Billboard 200. Iconic tracks like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One” continue to resonate with fans across generations.

In the live performance arena, Twain remains a powerful draw. Her 2023 Queen of Me tour ranked No. 4 on Billboard Boxscore’s year-end Top Country Tours list, and her upcoming Come on Over - All the Hits! residency at Planet Hollywood’s PH Live in 2024 and 2025 has already sold out 33 shows.

Beyond her music, the Canadian singer-songwriter is staying busy. She is preparing to join Harry Styles for concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium this summer and is actively working on a new album. Ahead of taking on the hosting role at the ACM Awards, Twain discussed her approach and upcoming projects.

Having previously hosted the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, Twain feels this experience helped prepare her for the ACM stage. She explains her hosting style as spontaneous and fun, preferring to infuse her personality rather than rely heavily on a teleprompter. “I just really like having fun and going with the flow,” she says, emphasizing the joy she finds in sharing this big moment with nominees and performers at various stages of their careers.

Following in the footsteps of Reba McEntire, who hosted the ACM Awards 18 times since 1986, Shania Twain admires Reba’s flawless professionalism, comedic timing, and acting skills that make her an expert at managing the flow of the show. Twain describes herself as more spontaneous, promising a unique hosting style for this year’s ceremony.

Fashion is always a hot topic at award shows, and with the ACM Awards airing on Prime Video without commercial breaks, Twain is considering how to handle her wardrobe choices, including potential quick changes. While she hasn’t finalized her looks, she wants to maintain an element of surprise and ensure she pays homage to the genre and its fans, who have supported her over the years.

Regarding surprises during the ceremony, Twain hints at a few special moments planned by production to delight the audience, though she remains tight-lipped about specifics. She expresses confidence that fans will be pleased with what’s in store.

Reflecting on her entertainer of the year win at the 2000 ACM Awards, Twain emphasizes that such honors are truly fan-driven. “The fans go to the shows,” she explains, noting that the award signifies appreciation for live performance excellence. She underscores the difficulty of maintaining high-energy shows night after night and considers the recognition a major compliment to entertainers who succeed in that demanding arena.

As anticipation builds for the 61st ACM Awards, fans can look forward to a memorable evening of country music celebration, guided by Shania Twain’s dynamic hosting and possible special surprises that highlight the genre’s past, present, and future stars.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Billboard.