DEBUT SINGLE – “Found It In You”
Tiera Kennedy was invited to be a part of this year’s Academy of Country Music Honors ceremony to help honor Shania Twain as one of the recipients of this year’s ACM Poets Award. Tiera formed a connection with Shania several years ago when she was a contestant on the USA Network’s country music singing competition Real Country and Shania was a judge. But that didn’t make the fact that Tiera got to share a dressing room with Shania and Kelsea Ballerini at the ACM Honors any less surreal and mind blowing.
Tiera Kennedy – ACM Honors dressing room :52
“Well, before I stepped into the dressing room, I saw my name next to Shania Twain and Kelsea‘s, and I was like, ‘Mmmm, nope. Somebody made a mistake. I’m not supposed to be in this room.’ It was honestly so special gettin’ to share a dressing room with those two. I did a wardrobe change for my performance, and I had a couple dresses to choose from. I showed ‘em all to Shania, and the dress I wore on stage was the one she chose. And then she asked me if I wanted to wear some of her jewelry, and I about died. I mean, gettin’ to do the show Real Country with Shania was one of those moments in my life I still can’t believe happened, and sittin’ in that dressing room with her gave me that same feelin’. I don’t think it’s hit me yet that that actually happened, and I don’t know if it ever will.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Tiera then got to perform Shania’s iconic love song, “From This Moment,” on the stage of The Ryman Auditorium, with Shania Twain sitting right in front of her in the audience.
Tiera Kennedy – ACM Honors performing :35
“I was so nervous. It was a combination of singing in front of Shania, singing her song, and making my Ryman debut. But I remember going between closin’ my eyes and making sure I hit all the notes, and lookin’ at Shania. I remember when I did Real Country I kept looking at her while I was singin’ because it was actually comforting because she was cheerin’ me on the whole time. So, performing at the ACM Honors was definitely nerve-racking singing right in front of her, but it was also comforting at the same time.“
Watch Tiera’s performance on the ACM Honors, hosted by Carly Pearce, on Tuesday 9/13 at 8 ET/7 CT on FOX.