When Shania Twain returned to the spotlight as the host of the 2024 People’s Choice Country Music Awards, expectations were sky-high because she is one of country music’s most iconic figures. Over her decades-long career, Twain has achieved extraordinary crossover success, earning huge album sales, chart-topping hits, and international fame by blending country with pop appeal. Her influence on both the musical and visual identity of country music has been profound, redefining what a country star could be in the 1990s and beyond. Known for her glamour, her relatable personality, and her trailblazing aesthetic, she helped expand the genre’s audience globally. Given this legacy and her continued popularity at age 59, it seemed almost inevitable that the award show organizers would tap her to host the 2024 ceremony. The event was held at Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry House — a symbolic heart of country music — and was intended to be both a celebration of current stars and a nod to the genre’s rich traditions.

The People’s Choice Country Music Awards took place on September 26, 2024, at the Grand Ole Opry House, broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, drawing an audience interested in both established artists and rising stars. The awards themselves are fan-driven: winners are chosen entirely through online voting, which adds an element of popular engagement and direct audience connection.  Hosting such a ceremony requires more than fame — it demands the ability to balance reverence for country tradition with an embrace of contemporary trends. As host, Twain’s role was to guide the evening, set the tone, and help bridge the past and present of a genre that continually evolves. From her opening remarks to transitions between performances and award presentations, she was tasked with maintaining energy and relevance throughout the night. Given how much awards shows are dissected in real time on social platforms, that pressure is greater than ever. Every joke, pause, and outfit change is amplified, and performers walk a tightrope between celebration and critique.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the evening — even before critiques of her hosting duties emerged — was Shania Twain’s extensive wardrobe. As many stars do during awards shows, she debuted a series of looks that reflected her flair for fashion and visual storytelling. On the red carpet, she appeared in a dazzling custom denim outfit with sequins and gloves, designed in collaboration with Levi’s, which generated significant social media buzz and strong reactions from fans and critics alike. Her on-stage ensembles included high-impact country-inspired costumes, like a fringe suit and matching cowboy hat, and even iconic looks referencing her own past hits — such as the outfit from her “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” video, which she said still “fits like a glove” and has been part of her journey for decades. These outfits reinforced to many supporters her refusal to be boxed in stylistically, but to others they were seen as distracting or overly bold for a country-focused ceremony. The lively discourse around her fashion became intertwined with larger debates about authenticity, genre aesthetics, and the way female artists present themselves on major stages.

Beyond fashion, the core of the reaction centered on how viewers perceived Twain’s performance as the host. In the era of social media, responses to awards show hosts can shift quickly from praise to backlash, and Twain’s performance was no exception. Some viewers applauded her warmth, stage presence, and the respect she brings as a legendary figure in country music. Others went online to voice dissatisfaction, with some comments harshly criticizing her hosting skills and calling her the “worst host ever,” or describing the show as awkward or disappointing. The critiques weren’t limited to performance at the mic but extended to a broader feeling among some that an awards show host today must deliver sharp humor and viral-ready moments, a standard that has evolved with the rise of influencer culture and meme-driven commentary. Twain’s style tended more toward charm and stage presence than rapid-fire comedy, which resonated with some viewers while alienating others. In many ways, she was judged against newer expectations shaped by online audiences who compare musical hosts to popular comedians or digital personalities — a standard that feels very different from the one that existed when Twain first rose to fame.

Underlying much of the commentary about Twain’s hosting performance and visuals was a deeper conversation about how female music icons are perceived as they age and evolve. Throughout her career, Twain has pushed boundaries and often faced criticism for choices that later proved influential. At 59, she now confronts public scrutiny that blends ageism with nostalgia — some fans express a desire for her to remain frozen in the 1990s image of her early superstardom, while others celebrate her ongoing evolution and visibility in an industry that often sidelines women as they get older. The mixed reactions to her hosting reflect this tension. Her bold fashion and public presence challenged unspoken expectations about who gets to command a stage at significant industry events and how they should do so. Many of the critiques about her looks or hosting style reveal as much about shifting audience expectations and societal biases as they do about her actual performance. Rather than a simple celebration of legacy, the event became a powder keg of discussions about how female icons are allowed to present themselves and remain relevant decades into their careers.

By the end of the evening, one outcome was unmistakable: Shania Twain succeeded in keeping all eyes on her — sparking conversations not only about the awards but about fashion, performance expectations, and the evolving role of legacy artists in contemporary culture. While some critics zeroed in on perceived missteps, others defended her fiercely, emphasizing that her career has always been defined by bold choices and resilience in the face of critique. Her influence on country music remains unquestionable: she helped broaden the genre’s audience and redefine what a country star could be. Whether her role as host becomes a recurring one or remains a standout moment in her career, the reaction to the night underscores her enduring relevance. Few artists decades into their careers can still provoke such widespread debate. In that sense, the mixed reactions reveal not weakness but the powerful cultural footprint she continues to leave — love her or critique her, Twain remains a central figure in modern country music and an artist who continues to shape conversations about the genre’s direction.