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

By Monty Archibald

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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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

She does not claim to be an opera singer, do not blame her for lazy journalism. She seems to be enjoying herself singing to much larger audiences rather than just a niche group who consider themselves an "elite",. leave them to enjoy the fat ladies that seem to populate real opera. ============================== I'm not criticising her - she's got a perfectly nice voice. It's typical of the DM and many other members of the media that they label her an 'opera singer'. Yes, it is lazy journalism, couldn't agree more.

Click to rate     Rating   4

The pregnant woman looks horrendous. Katherine's dress, however, I want in my wardrobe immediately.

Click to rate     Rating   11

She's not an 'Opera' star?? I'm sure she has never starred in an opera, so can't be? She is a classical singer, there is a difference.

Click to rate     Rating   8

"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" She is not from London, she is Welsh and quite rightly proud of it.

Click to rate     Rating   7

"She is not an opera singer. She is a mezzo soprano who sings popular songs. Big difference. - Alison, York, United Kingdom, 5/11/2012 11:20" She does not claim to be an opera singer, do not blame her for lazy journalism. She seems to be enjoying herself singing to much larger audiences rather than just a niche group who consider themselves an "elite",. leave them to enjoy the fat ladies that seem to populate real opera.

Click to rate     Rating   7

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

Click to rate     Rating   10

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

Click to rate     Rating   8

"A talented lady from London?" What planet are YOU on Chetbecker12? Katherine Jenkins is most defintitely NOT from London, in fact she's not even ENGLISH. Try looking up Wales on the map. Clue, it's the bit that sticks out (rather like Ms Nettles' baby bump) to the mid West of Great Britain.

Click to rate     Rating   6

She is NOT an 'opera singer'. She is a mezzo-soprano who sings popular songs. She couldn't sing her way through an opera any more than she could sleep with David Beckham. Allegedly. Ha, bet this one doesn't appear in the comments.

Click to rate     Rating   1

Your comments: Are you sure that "baby bump" is not a badly stuffed pillow?

Click to rate     Rating   2

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