Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/61759
C arrie Underwood is that "all- American girl" she sings about on her 2007 album Carnival Ride: She lounges in sweats, albeit with thick, matted false eyelashes still weighing her down from her photo shoot, as she chats candidly about her "wild" plans for the night, which include a trip to the new Whole Foods near her Brentwood, Tennessee, home and cuddling with Ace and Penny, her canine sidekicks. And, like so many women her age, Underwood chose Las Vegas for her bachelorette party before tying the knot with Mike Fisher (of the NHL's Nashville Predators) in Georgia in 2010. Looking at her lean figure, one would never guess that her favorite Vegas activity is indulging in the local din- ing scene. "There are some really fabulous places to eat there," says the longtime vegetarian who recently made the move to veganism. "We always go out to eat when we're in town. I love Lakeside at Wynn—Mr. Wynn is a vegan so they have a lot of stuff on the menu that I can eat. I know where the Whole Foods is there, too. If we're not eating out, I'm making my own food. I will never order room service—it weirds me out!" She probably won't have to worry about that on this quick trip to Vegas, specifically the MGM Grand Garden Arena, for the 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1. She'll have hectic rehearsals for her performance while dealing with a whirlwind of hair, makeup, and wardrobe. The crooner is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, as well as Vocal Event of the Year for her "Remind Me" duet with pal Brad Paisley. A seasoned veteran of the awards show scene—she has co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville with Paisley for the past four years—she welcomes the change of venue that the ACMs offers. "It's really cool to have the show somewhere [outside of Tennessee]," she says. "You want ACMs to feel different than any other shows. There's a little more of an edge to it— you can get away with more, like the whole Steven Tyler thing. [Underwood and Tyler performed her hit single "Undo It" and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" together at last year's show.] I don't know if I could have pulled that off anywhere but Vegas." VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 97