Carly Pearce Reflects on CMA Awards Experience and Health Challenges

Carly Pearce talked about her experience at the 2020 CMA Awards, recalling how she was dealing with injuries after knocking out two front teeth. “In the week leading up to winning my first CMA Award, I was—well, let’s just say, I was biting my lips a lot. I ended up with seven stitches,” she shared during an appearance on Bunnie Xo’s Podcast. It was certainly a strange time, especially with everything being virtual due to the pandemic.

She noted, “Honestly, I kept it all to myself. I did interviews from home, looking a bit… crazy. I had to deal with bonding and stitches while trying to present myself at these award shows alongside my childhood best friend.”

“I just looked beaten,” Pierce admitted, reflecting on her appearance.

Health Issues and Awards

Pearce won her first CMA for Musical Event of the Year in collaboration with Lieblis on the song “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” While she performed at the awards, she chose not to address her injuries back then, even though there was speculation about the swollen appearance of her lips.

Eventually, she revealed, “I fell and knocked out my front teeth. The number of stitches I had made my mouth look completely different, which was scary because it was such a pivotal week for me.”

“It was really unsettling, honestly,” Pearce recounted. “I felt fortunate to have the support I needed during such a tense time, but every day I was praying for a quick recovery. This was a massive moment in my career.”

Public Perception

Looking back, Pearce recalled difficulties adjusting to public speculation surrounding her injuries. “The next day, all I heard from radio stations was that I was just bad at finishing my lips,” she mentioned. “And I thought, ‘No, you just don’t understand what I went through,’ as my teeth were shifting.”

She chose to keep her situation under wraps, worried about creating unnecessary drama. “For quite some time, I thought it best to remain silent. I didn’t want to stir anything up, but if you saw what I looked like, you’d understand.”

Being Open About Health

After some time, Pearce opened up about another significant health issue. In May 2024, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with a severe heart condition called pericarditis. Pearce mentioned that her symptoms had initially been overlooked by doctors, prompting her to advocate for herself until she finally received a diagnosis.

“I strongly encourage anyone to listen to their bodies and be their own advocate. Many doctors brushed me off, but I persisted until I found out what was wrong,” she stated in an interview.

Living with this condition since 2020, Carly has experienced flare-ups but has remained resilient. “I often feel pain in my chest when I lean forward, which is one classic symptom of pericarditis,” she explained. “When lying down, the inflammation around my heart intensifies.”