McEntire’s stylist Marjan Malakpour describes her hosting and performing looks as “tough, sexy and Western”

Brittany Talarico is PEOPLE’s Deputy Style Director, where she oversees the brand’s digital Style and Beauty coverage. This includes running lead on the Met Gala, which is among PEOPLE.com’s top-trafficked red carpet events every year, interviewing the industry’s top influencers (including all the Kardashian-Jenners), and breaking A-list celeb news (a New Jersey shore native, it is no surprise that her favorite interview ever was with Bruce Springsteen). Brittany is a style contributor to People Every Day Podcast and has represented the brand on national TV programs including Good Morning America and The CW’s two TV specials on the British Royals. She joined PEOPLE from Cosmopolitan in 2013, where she was an Associate Editor.

Reba McEntire. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty

Reba McEntire took center stage in style at the 2024 ACM Awards.

The country singer, 69, hosted the annual awards show — for the 17th time — live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 16. McEntire brought her trademark Western-inspired glam to the star-studded event and her stylist, Marjan Malakpour, is sharing all the details behind her two stunning ensembles for the evening.

For her hosting duties, McEntire wore sheer lace pants, a long, shimmery suit jacket and eye-popping variegated turquoise magnesite jewelry by Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Collection, and Malakpour says the outfit is “fun and a little sexy.” She also described the look as “tough, sexy and Western.”

“Reba is totally hands-on with everything,” the stylist tells PEOPLE of creating McEntire’s ACM wardrobe. “She knows what works for her body and she wants to be comfortable and look great at the same time.”

Reba McEntire at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.Jason Kempin/Getty

McEntire added some glitz with pieces such as the Havana Vintage silver statement earrings, necklace and cocktail ring, along with the Emily Vintage silver statement necklace.

“The Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott variegated turquoise magnesite jewelry ties in Reba’s western heritage,” Malakpour explains. “We layered several pieces to give it Reba’s signature tough sexy style.”

The star switched up her look while performing her new single, “I Can’t,” at the awards show. She embraced country glam in a long black coat over a sparkly silver dress with a fringe bottom, paired with simple hair and makeup — a nod to the song.

“The performance look complements the song,” says Malakpour. “The song has very moody lyrics about thunder and rain, and the look echoes that mood with the tattered fringe, leather, and suede.”

Reba McEntire performs at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024.Jason Kempin/Getty

While McEntire certainly has a signature style, Malakpour says she’s “open to trying things and she looks so amazing in everything she tries on.”

“She is a stylist’s dream!” she adds.

McEntire previously told PEOPLE that she was most looking forward to catching up with friends at the awards show.

“I like to go visit with everyone,” she said. “I love live television. I get to sing a song, see what everybody else is promoting, their new material, but basically just to get to see my old friends and meet new people. I hope everyone tunes in and watches.”

Reba McEntire performs at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024.Jason Kempin/Getty

Presenters at the ceremony included Alabama, BRELAND, Jordan Davis, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Randy Travis and Clay Walker.

In addition to McEntire, there were performances by Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Parker McCollum, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani,  Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, and Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne.