“It was her idea”— Chris Stapleton on his collaboration with Dua Lipa as the “Houdini” hitmaker makes surprise ACM Awards debut

This year's ACM Awards boasted several genre-bending performances, but one that truly stole the show was Chris Stapleton's surprise collaboration with pop star Dua Lipa. ET's Rachel Smith caught up with Chris and his wife, Morgane Stapleton, backstage after the event, where the country singer revealed how Dua Lipa's initiative made the entire duet happen.

"It was her idea, as far as I know. They kind of called us up and said, 'Hey, she would like to do this.' I was like, 'Are you sure?' And she's like, 'Yeah!'"

Chris continued, explaining how they hopped on a call to discuss the collaboration and work on it together.

Dua Lipa, better known for songs like Dance the Night Away, made her ACM Awards debut on Thursday evening (May 16) as she walked out on stage at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, to join the country singer. She began their duet with the opening verse of Chris Stapleton's song, Think I'm In Love With You.

Chris Stapleton then joined her on stage with his guitar, and the two artists continued the performance in a soulful manner that became the culmination of their musical artistry. The song became a slower jam with disco influences; hence, the audience could only have struggled for more.

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Chris Stapleton credits Dua Lipa for surprise ACM awards duet

The 2024 ACM Awards saw a surprise collaboration that left the audience buzzing. Country music veteran Chris Stapleton, 46, joined forces with pop superstar Dua Lipa, 28, for an electrifying duet that became a highlight of the night.

The unexpected performance unfolded when Lipa, known for her hit Levitating, took the stage unannounced. Dressed to impress, she captivated the audience by launching into the opening verse of Stapleton's Think I'm In Love With You from his 2023 album Higher.

Moments later, Stapleton himself entered the stage, guitar in hand. The two artists then proceeded to deliver a spellbinding performance that showcased a beautiful blend of their distinct styles. Think I'm In Love With You was transformed into a slow jam with disco influences, creating a unique soundscape that left the crowd wanting more.

According to backstage reports, this impressive collaboration was a last-minute feat. Chris revealed that they only had two days to put the duet together, making the entire experience a whirlwind but undeniably "awesome."

Dua Lipa, a long-time admirer of Stapleton, explained that she was the driving force behind the collaboration. Speaking with reporters, she expressed her deep appreciation for Stapleton's music, particularly its focus on storytelling and raw emotion. The admiration was mutual, with Stapleton praising Lipa's status as the "queen of feel-good music."

Dua Lipa said,

"I'm a big, big Chris Stapleton fan, that's for sure, and I love country music. I love the storytelling, I love the passion, and it was just so beautiful to be able to dive into that world a little bit just kind of see it first hand. It was really special."

Stapleton's successful night at the ACM Awards extended beyond the surprise duet. He went on to win Male Artist of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed project Higher. This sweep of awards solidified Stapleton's position as a powerhouse in the country music scene.

The duet of Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa was unexpectedly a hit at the ACM Awards. The spectacular vocals and hypnotic stage act not only amazed the audience at that moment but also indicated the possibility of a future working together. A studio version of the duet is reportedly due to be released soon, and fans are already eagerly looking forward to the chance to rewind this amazing moment.