Why Miranda Lambert Filled in for Chris Stapleton’s Wife on the ACM Awards
She had a prior commitment to take care of.
It’s almost always a guarantee that when Chris Stapleton steps out on stage, his wife Morgane will be right next to him, singing by his side. The couple are never far away from one another when it comes to performing, but on the 2021 ACM Awards, Morgane was noticeably absent from her husband’s performance in the Bluebird Cafe.
According to PEOPLE, Morgane’s absence was last minute as a prior commitment had come up, causing her to miss the awards.
“Due to her prior doula commitment, Morgane Stapleton is unable to join Chris Stapleton at the Bluebird as scheduled,” the Academy of Country Music told the publication in a statement.
Stapleton later addressed where his wife was, noting that she was helping with a very important delivery.
“I think my sister-in-law is in labor right now. She may be on her way to the hospital. I’m not sure. So my wife was kind of on baby watch — and for once, not her own baby. But it’s been an interesting night tonight. So lots to celebrate. And, you know, the awards are just part of it,” he told reporters backstage.
“It’s always very special and I miss her very much tonight but I was so happy that Miranda agreed to fill in kind of in the last minute,” he added.
Stapleton didn’t have to sing alone as Miranda Lambert stepped in to harmonize on the heartfelt ode to man’s best friend, “Maggie’s Song.” The Kentucky native wrote it after his faithful companion Maggie passed away. Lambert’s addition to the song makes perfect sense as the singer is an advocate for getting rescue dogs into homes. She, alongside her mother Bev, founded the MuttNation Foundation and its latest Love Harder effort hopes to get pit mixes, senior dogs, black dogs, and dogs with disabilities adopted.
