Opera star Katherine Jenkins sings at country Christmas show in red gown... as host displays baby bump in matching dress

PUBLISHED: 01:25 EST, 4 November 2012 | UPDATED: 02:34 EST, 4 November 2012

She is becoming increasingly desperate to conquer America.

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that opera singer Katherine Jenkins performed at a country music Christmas show on Saturday.

The leather lunged 32-year-old gave it her all as she belted out a seasonal favourite for the special concert in Nashville, which will not be aired until December 20.

Courting attention: Katherine Jenkins continued her quest to conquer American by performing at the 2012 Country Christmas concert in Nashville, Tennessee

Dancing with the Stars contestant Katherine surely sees the appearance as another piece in the jigsaw as she tries to complete her audacious mission to be a big name in the US.

And show pony that she is, she could not resist trying to outshine everyone else on the show by donning a show-stopping red dress with a spectacularly long train.

But it seems she may have misjudged how easy it would be to win all the plaudits on the 2012 Country Christmas Concert, which is being shown on ABC.

Show pony: Katherine's stunningly long train and striking red dress made sure all eyes were on her

Red hot: The singing sensation looked in fabulous for as she took her final bow

Red hot: The singing sensation looked in fabulous form as she took her final bow

Big lungs: The opera favourite let them have it as she blasted out a song with her mezzo-soprano voice

For the show's host Jennifer Nettles also donned a red dress, but her tight number was far more sparkly, and had double impact due to the fact it showed off her burgeoning baby bump.

The Sugarland star also added plenty of spice to her performance, and seemed to be having a great time as she hammed it up for the cameras.

The 38-year-old Duets star did not let being pregnant with her first child slow her down either, as she roped in a troupe of backing dancers to bring her routine to a new height of camp as she created a festival atmosphere for fans.

Who needs maternity leave: But it was Jennifer Nettles everyone will be talking about as she showed off her baby bump in a similarly striking dress

Sugarland spice: The country singer seemed delighted with the reception she got after the song

One way to garner attention: She made sure her routine was memorable by enlisting the services of a dancing troupe

But they were far from the only big names who were filling the air with the sound of watered down commercial country.

For Nicole Kidman's other half Keith Urban was also there with his Fender Stratocaster and his leather jacket to provide some eye candy for female country fans.

But he had strong competition from American Idol winner Scottie McCreery who won glances after donning a Tony Blair-esque suit with open-neck shirt.

And it appears soul singer John Legend may be getting ready to follow in Charley Pride's footsteps, as he also appeared, as did popular trio The Band Perry.

Urban legend: Keith made sure he put on a good show by showing off his guitar playing skills

Lovely suit: Even Martina McBride could not resist stealing a glance at Scotty McCreery wonderful ensemble

Genre bender: Perhaps soul favourite John Legend is getting ready to try his hand at country after appearing

Testing their Nettles: The Band Perry seemed to be trying Jennifer's patience by delivers one-liners

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She is not an opera singer. She is a mezzo soprano who sings popular songs. Big difference.

- Alison , York, United Kingdom, 05/11/2012 11:20

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Please can someone send Jenkins a bottle of conditioner for the straw that's masquerading as hair on her head. Ta.

- jj , london, 05/11/2012 10:28

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BTW, Katherine was INVITED by ABC to the Country Christmas Special. ABC also produces DWTS and was smart enough to recognize her growing popularity. She already had 4 concerts scheduled in US with Andre Boccelli in Nov. & Dec Hey, Monte Archibald ; does Andrea Bocelli qualify as a "Show Pony" ??

- Chetbecker12 , Orlando Fl-USA, 05/11/2012 06:23

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A Talented Lady from London makes a great performance with an standing ovation in Nashville, and all this ass from DM can call her is a show pony. We here in the U.S. haved learned to appreciate and love this beautiful lady. What the hell is the matter with some of you so called journalists who get their mental fantasies by (as you Brits call it) "slating" her. Grow up.

- Chetbecker12 , Orlando Fl-USA, 05/11/2012 06:00

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who the hell is Jennifer Nettles?

- Sloppy Joe , Key West, United States, 05/11/2012 05:10

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First that pregnancy dress is incredibly bad and second the last photograph caption says "The Band Perry seemed to be trying Jennifer's patience by delivers one-liners" What does that sentence mean DM? An English newspaper (stop laughing) needs journalists that can write English.

- Lord Avmercy , London, 05/11/2012 01:44

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Katherine is really beautiful.

- Southerntwinb , Usa, 05/11/2012 00:52

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Puerile journalism.

- Howard the 1st , London-UK., United Kingdom, 04/11/2012 23:19

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That pregnancy dress is laughably bad. Why would you choose to have a shiny strip right down the middle?

- Volvican , Reading, UK, 04/11/2012 23:16

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Wow ... Katherine can open her mouth really wide ... hee hee hee.