After being away from the stage for almost six months, Carrie Underwood made her return to the music world with an emotional performance.

'Cry Pretty' Debut

On Sunday, April 15, the country music sensation took to the stage at the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards. The singer wore a sparkly dress and had silver "tears" sprinkled beneath her eyes as she hit the stage to perform her brand new single, "Cry Pretty." As Underwood performed the song, fans could sense her emotional investment in the moment as she received a standing ovation from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Twitter Goes Crazy

Several members of the country music industry took to Twitter to voice their excitement of seeing Underwood back on the stage. Many of Underwood's contemporaries such as fellow American Idol alum Scotty McCreery, Cody Alan, Little Big Town, and SaraBeth all voiced their congratulations. Also, other top country music stalwarts such as the Grand Ole Opry and A Taste of Country also joined in the chorus of well-wishers.

Preparing For The Comeback

Days before Underwood took the ACM Awards stage, she released the emotional new ballad on Wednesday, April 11. Underwood co-wrote the 4-minute, 12-second song with Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna. Her fan base, the Care Bears, visited social media to talk about the emotional song. Fans commented that they felt every lyric on the track and even predicted that the record could go on to receive several Grammy nominations.

The Health Update

On April 10, Underwood announced to her fan club "Cry Pretty's" release and did confirm that she would indeed premiere the track on the ACM Awards. She also gave her fans a health update, stating that she is doing physically well and was very appreciative of the time that she spent with her husband, Nashville Predators hockey player Mike Fisher, and her son, Isaiah. The "Two Black Cadillacs" singer added that her wrist is 90-percent healed and that her face has been healing up to her satisfaction.

A Social Media Blitz

A few weeks before her big comeback performance, Underwood went on a social media blitz that teased her upcoming activities. She posted photos of her rehearsing with her band for the first time since the November 2017 accident and at the recording studio.

Tags: Carrie Underwood academy of country music awards