By Wonderwall.com Editors
7:00am PST, Mar 6, 2022
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On March 7, 2022, the Academy of Country Music will honor the biggest names in the genre. In honor of the return of the show — which this year is hosted by Dolly Parton — Wonderwall.com is looking back 20 years ago to the 2002 ACM Awards… Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson, who were then newly engaged, walked the ACM Awards red carpet together in mismatched ensembles. He wore baggy low-rise jeans with a white tank top accessorized with a large cross pendant, a big belt buckle and his trademark fedora. Pam opted for a short blue skin-baring dress with a high slit. She wore her hair heavily teased with dark eye makeup and carried a tiny silver purse that matched her heeled sandals.
Keep reading to see more looks from the big night — including quite a few more from Reba — 20 years ago…
RELATED: Pamela Anderson’s wildest, weirdest and sexiest fashion moments
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Top female vocalist of the year nominee Sara Evans gave off major pop star vibes with her shiny, futuristic halter top and heavily beaded pink pants with white and purple flowers at the 2002 ACM Awards.
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Big change! Sara Evans transitioned into a white pinstriped suit with a low-cut black blouse when she performed on the telecast.
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Singer Deana Carter looked effortlessly chic in a short white dress with spaghetti strips and fringed heels.
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Lolita Davidovich was feeling the blues when she walked the red carpet on May 22, 2002. The actress wore a matching baby blue pant set with blue-hued sunglasses.
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Four-time nominee that night Tim McGraw performed in his classic black cowboy hat and jeans but mixed things up with a wild printed and partially sheer button-down.
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Faith Hill looked stunning in a long-sleeved black gown with a lacy short skirt at the 2002 show where she supported her husband, Tim McGraw, who lost out in all four categories in which he was nominated that year.
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LeAnn Rimes looked stunning in a watermelon-colored gown with a plunging cowl neckline.
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Martina McBride who took home the top female vocalist prize that year, walked the red carpet in a timeless black gown with floral appliqués accessorized with silver jewelry and metallic heeled sandals.
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Martina McBride showed off her award backstage in a different look — a plunging pink gown that she also wore when she performed on stage that night.
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Reba McEntire changed a few times throughout the night, including into this slinky blue sequined gown with spaghetti straps and delicate silver jewelry.
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Reba McEntire loved her blue gown so much she basically replicated it with this black dress, which featured an asymmetrical hemline that showed off her heeled sandals.
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Percussionist and singer Sheila E. went bold for the 2002 ACM Awards, which were held in Universal City, California, in a short lime green strapless dress with a sheer jacket on top.
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Ronnie Milsap attended the 2002 ACM Awards in a black suit with a shiny purple satin shirt and matching tie paired with wraparound sunglasses.
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Nancy O’Dell looked bright and summery in an electric blue one-sleeved gown at the May award show.
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Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts coordinated their outfits back in ’02. Gary and Jay opted for camouflage while Joe Don leaned into the look with an army green tee and cream-colored leather jacket.
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Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who won the top new female vocalist award in 2002, added some spice to her LBD with some wide fringe on the hem and a chain sleeve.
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Heidi Newfield embraced the glitz in a pale gold halter-style gown covered in silver fringe.
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Cyndi Thompson, who was nominated for top new female vocalist in 2002, risked a wardrobe malfunction in a sheer sequined purple top paired with flared dark pants with matching pink and purple embellishments.
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Kellie Coffey wore every shade of orange at the 2002 ACM Awards.
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Jo Dee Messina, who was nominated for vocal event of the year for “Bring on the Rain” with Tim McGraw in 2002, walked the red carpet in brown flared leather pants trimmed in turquoise fringe and a white halter top accessorized with a large cross necklace.
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Willie Nelson was a man in black at the 2002 show. The country music legend wore a black leather jacket, a black cowboy hat and his hair in long braids.
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Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Tara Lipinski attended the 2002 ACM Awards in a black tube top and miniskirt look.
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Soap opera actress Michelle Stafford gave off flight attendant vibes with her pulled-back hairstyle and chiffon scarf, which she wore with a denim bustier and pale pink skirt.
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The night’s host, Reba McEntire, arrived at the show in a black disco-ball paneled halter dress that reflected the red carpet.
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Australian country singer Jamie O’Neal wore a black gown with an oversized midriff cut-out and a deep, dark tan for the 2002 show.
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Elizabeth Cook kept it simple and safe in a timeless black one-shouldered gown.
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Tiger queen! Laura Bryna made the interesting decision to wear a breezy tiger-print dress with a matching jacket with furry sleeves when she attended the 2002 award show.
