From her first job at Dollywood at 16 to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Dolly Parton herself, Carly Pearce has experienced some remarkable full-circle, “pinch me” moments. Since her debut, she has emerged as a rising star, captivating audiences with her powerful vocals and heartfelt storytelling.
The CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and Grammy winner’s recent single, We Don’t Fight Anymore featuring Chris Stapleton touches on the matter of universal heartache, something she says she was compelled to share. When she’s not collaborating with her country music heroes, Pearce says she can be found hanging out at home with her dogs Johnny and June. Here, she takes a minute to share her beauty staples, how she stays in shape while on the road and the pinch-me moments that have shaped her incredible journey.
Where do you get your style and beauty inspiration from?
“I have a slight problem of consistently online shopping and finding new trends and inspirations online. My mom actually helps me a lot find new pieces I wear on stage and to different events. For stage, I try to find a balance of fresh, timeless western and modern trends.”
What are your top 3 must-haves to take on the road?
“The number-one thing I must have on the road is a teasing comb. I am constantly teasing my hair and making it bigger throughout the day. I also always need a lip gloss. The last thing I do before I step onto stage is put more on. Gwen Stefani’s GXVE ($20) is my favorite right now and I have it with me always—on stage and off! And Skin Pharm has all my go to skin-care products—especially the Youth Serum ($115).”
Was sharing the stage with Gwen Stefani at the CMT Awards on your 2023 bingo card?
“Haha, no! I never would have thought I would get the chance to sing with Gwen Stefani. She has become a good friend of mine over the years, and she made me feel so comfortable during rehearsals. That song is definitely a little out of my comfort zone but watching her demand the stage the way she did was so fun. It was truly an honor getting to share the stage with her.”
You mentioned the uncomfortable distance that happens in relationships that you touch on in We Don’t Fight Anymore. Why do you feel this was an important topic or feeling to explore?
“I think if we are all honest with ourselves, we have all been in this place in a relationship. Everyone has their ‘highlight reel’ on social media. They don’t tell you the backstage view of what a relationship could look like. As I writer, I have always strived to make people feel something.”
How do you stay in shape while you’re performing and touring?
“I have really prioritized staying in shape. I feel my best when I work out and eat clean, so I stay pretty disciplined on and off the road. I go to OrangeTheory Fitness classes and run all the time. With the chaos and inconsistency of my life, working out and eating healthy is something I can control, and it helps me stay the best version of myself.”
What has been your favorite red-carpet look?
“I have loved so many of my recent red carpet looks. I think the first one that comes to my mind is the white gown I wore to the CMA Awards in 2022. I had never done white before, and it really complemented my skin tone and hair. I rarely wear my hair up on red carpets, but this dress had a beautiful open back we needed to show. I had a quick change after, so my hair was only slightly pinned up and I loved the way it turned out so much. My makeup was on the softer side, and we used a lighter lip to keep it looking classy.”
You often credit country music icons from the past as inspirations. What has been the biggest pinch-me moment for you when working with some of the greatest names in country?
“There have been so many moments for me that almost feel out-of-body. I have been so lucky to shared the stage with so many of the artists I grew up loving. Getting to surprise the CMA Fest crowd with Wynonna Judd last year was a big full-circle moment for me. My mom took me to see her for my very first concert. Of course, Dolly inviting me to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry will always be the top pinch-me moment. And most recently, getting to collaborate with my duet dream partner, Chris Stapleton. I have been a fan of his before the world knew his voice, and it is the biggest dream come true for me.”
How do you unwind? Do you rely on any relaxing or self-care products?
“I love to just sit in my house, light a candle, and listen to music. Honestly, I enjoy just hanging out with my dogs, Johnny and June. Whenever I have any time off, I try to spend so much time with them.”
You just added a Grammy to your growing list of awards. Where are you storing your award trophies? Is there one that means the most?
“I have a wall in my house that has a few shelves with my awards on them. Underneath it, I have an old radio that my great grandpa used to listen to WSM Radio on. My parents had it refurbished for me, and now my Grammy sits right on top of it. When I look at that wall and all I have accomplished, I truly can’t believe that this is my life sometimes. They’re all so special to me, but my CMA for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ represents everything I have ever wanted as a little girl.”
