WHAT?! Faith Hill Says Reaction Was A Joke

(AP)  Faith Hill insists she's no Kanye West.

The country music superstar says she was just joking when cameras showed her screaming "WHAT?" in apparent anger when she lost the female vocalist of the year award to newcomer Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Association Awards ceremony Monday night in Nashville.

"The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me," Hill said in a statement. "For this to become a focus of attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a talented and deserving Female Vocalist of The Year."

Media outlets and blogs zeroed in on Hill's reaction after Underwood's name was announced at the ceremony. While other nominees — Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride — gave the typical gracious loser smile, Hill, who was standing backstage, turned to the camera and shouted "WHAT?"

Although her voice could not be heard, it was clear from her lips what she said. She looked visibly upset and then it looked as if she was storming off.

However, Hill said it was all a joke, and her manager, Gary Borman, echoed that: "I've worked with Faith for many years now and the idea that she would ever insult or undermine another artist, let alone another human being's success is absolutely preposterous. Those who know her know that she's incapable of such actions," he said in a statement. "She was being playful while the nominations were being read and playful after."

Underwood, the 2005 "American Idol" champ from Checotah, Okla., has become a triple platinum success since releasing her debut album late last year. Hill is a longtime darling of country music with crossover pop appeal. This is the second time in less than a week that an awards show loss has resulted in an (apparent) on-camera freakout by a loser.

Last week, Kanye West stormed the stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards and interrupted the speech of the winners, claiming his video deserved the honor.

[pbrain0974]

I DVR'ed the awards show. When showing all the nominees, Faith said something. I slowed down the replay it looked an aweful lot like she said "I will be so mad if I don't win". That and the fact that when she was introduced she acted sly, like it was a given that she would win. Then when she raised her arms as if in triumph and then the "What" came, she abruptly went off camera to the left. Did not seem like a joke to me at all.

[favin69]

anybody that would think a star like faith would act like this for real is nothing short of stupid,shes a good girl and was only being silly,come on people get a life get real theres more important things out in the world to worry about than this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[amandaestes]

Whether or not Carrie or Faith deserved the award what Faith did was unacceptable. She lost many of fans after that horrble display of selfishness. What a poor loser!! I also have to admit watching the replay on youtube makes that the funniest and most shocking video I have seen in a long time.

[blondegirllj]

I always respected Faith Hill as a singer. But last night's performance that she did in front of thousands of her fans. That was just down right childish of her to react that way knowing that the camera was there right in front of her. I want everyone reading this message to watch the video really close. She actually thought that she was going to win that award. She was primping making sure that she looked good when she thought her name was going to be announced. And when she heard that it was Carrie instead of her reacts out of pure jealousy and rage. And that was just plain stupidity when someone like her that has been into Country music that long reacts that was to a new comer like Carrie Underwood.

[twacur]

Carrie deserves to win no matter what other people think and or say about it. Look at everything that she has accomplished over the passed year. It doesn't matter weither you have 2-3 or weither you have 50 videos out. Carrie is a very talented singer/songwritter. I love her music and proud of everything that she has accomplished.

[lancey8]

I think she's pulling a John Kerry - a "botched joke". I don't care who you are or what you're thinking - you shouldn't respond like that, even jokingly. And of course she's going to say she was joking. What's she gonna say? "Yeah, I'm pissed as hell that I didn't win!" I don't think so!

[kittyinky]

whether or not Carrie is a rookie makes no difference. She has had a remarkable year. She is every bit as talented as the other nominees and she deserved her win. Was FH joking? Didn't appear that way to me. Looked like she was raising her hands to her fans to accept an award that wasn't hers afterall. She too is a very talented artist but even if she was "kidding" she has been in the business long enough to know that the cameras were on her and she "should" have reacted as gracious as the other lady nominees. Any nominee feels disappointed that she didn't win but they smile and applaud the winner because that is what they would expect from their competition if the situation were reversed.

[rosie061]

I don't know if Faith's reaction was a joke or not, but I do believe that she should of won. Carrie Underwood has "only" 2 songs out, and Faith's lastest album is a hit! While watching the awards and I heard Carries name revealed....my reaction was not "what?".....it was something else.

[bobgee_1999]

Boycott France! Bomb Iraq!

[debglover]

God can't anyone take a joke. Faith Hill knew she was on camera I would think that even if she had those feelings she would be smart enough to hide her feelings. It isn't like she is never in front of an audience.