Carly Pearce opens up about a concert where she ‘over-served’ herself, plus the awkward date and song she now wishes she had never released.
Carly Pearce has opened up about one concert she wishes she could have handled differently, admitting that she once took the stage after drinking too much and realized shortly before the performance that she may have made a serious mistake.
The country music star made the candid confession while taking part in Entertainment Tonight’s “Sip or Spill,” where she answered a series of personal questions about her career, relationships and experiences in the spotlight.
Pearce, 36, was asked whether she had ever canceled a show during her career.
While she said she had never actually canceled a performance, she quickly acknowledged that there was at least one concert she believes probably should not have gone ahead.
“I know exactly the show,” Pearce said during the interview.
The singer then recalled a concert from her 29 Tour several years ago, explaining that she had consumed too much alcohol before taking the stage.
“If you were at my show on the 29 Tour a few years ago in D.C., I over-served myself, and I was like, ‘Uh oh, this is not good.’ But I made it,” Pearce admitted.
Pearce did not identify the specific date of the performance during the interview.
However, she performed a 29 Tour concert at the Hamilton in Washington, D.C., in November 2021.
Her comments offer a rare glimpse into the less polished side of life on the road for a touring musician.
While performers are generally expected to maintain a professional routine regardless of circumstances, touring can involve long travel days, late nights and demanding schedules.
Pearce’s admission suggests that even experienced performers can occasionally find themselves in situations where they have to push through a difficult performance.
Despite realizing that she had overindulged, Pearce said she managed to complete the show.
The country star also used the interview to look back at another part of her career that she now views differently: one of the songs she recorded with her former husband, Michael Ray.
When asked which song she wished she had never released, Pearce pointed to “Finish Your Sentences,” a duet she recorded with Ray for her 2020 self-titled sophomore album.
“That didn’t age well,” Pearce joked.
The comment was particularly notable because Pearce and Ray’s marriage ended in the same year the song was released.
The country singers married in 2019 but divorced after only eight months, with their split becoming public in 2020.
Pearce has since spoken candidly about the short-lived marriage.
In a later interview, she described the marriage as a major mistake and reflected on how dramatically her life changed after deciding to leave the relationship.
Her comments about “Finish Your Sentences” therefore appeared to acknowledge the irony of revisiting a romantic duet connected to a relationship that ultimately came to an abrupt end.
After her divorce from Ray, Pearce entered another high-profile relationship. She dated Riley King for approximately two years before the couple separated in 2023.
King previously wished Pearce well in both her professional and personal life following their breakup.
During her Entertainment Tonight appearance, Pearce also revealed an awkward dating story involving another person’s excessive drinking.
The singer recalled going on a date with a man who became so intoxicated that she eventually had to drive him home.
The situation became even more uncomfortable when the man appeared to avoid kissing her by pretending that he had received a phone call.
Pearce said she could see the man’s phone screen and realized there was actually no incoming call.
“I once went on a date with a guy who got so blackout drunk that I had to drive him home,” she explained. “And when it was ‘time to kiss me,’ he pretended to have a phone call.”
She added that she could see the lock screen and knew there was no call taking place.
For Pearce, the incident was apparently less about the rejection and more about the unnecessary excuse.
“Just tell me you don’t want to kiss me. I don’t want to kiss you either,” she said.
The collection of stories gave fans a more personal look at Pearce’s experiences away from the stage, showing that the singer has had her share of uncomfortable and embarrassing moments despite her successful career.
Pearce is currently entering another significant chapter in her music career following the release of her fifth studio album, “Honest Woman.”
The album represents a new stage for the singer, who has frequently used her music to explore heartbreak, relationships, personal growth and the challenges of moving forward.
As part of her plans surrounding the new album, Pearce is set to perform in smaller venues beginning September 10.
Rather than focusing solely on large-scale performances, she wants the upcoming shows to create a more intimate connection between herself and her audience.
Pearce explained that her relationship with her fans has become increasingly important to her, particularly as listeners have connected with the personal themes in her music.
“I feel like this album is so special to me,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
She also said that her connection with fans can sometimes extend beyond what is possible during a traditional large live performance.
According to Pearce, fans increasingly want the opportunity to speak with her directly and have a more personal experience at her concerts.
“They just want to talk to me,” she said, explaining why the smaller venues appealed to her.
Pearce added that being able to perform up close with her audience would be a particularly enjoyable experience.
The singer’s latest revelations come as she continues to balance a busy music career with a willingness to discuss the more complicated chapters of her personal life.
From admitting that she once performed a concert while realizing she had consumed too much alcohol to joking about a song that has taken on a very different meaning after her divorce, Pearce appears increasingly comfortable looking back at her past with honesty and humor.
While she may wish she had canceled that particular show, Pearce ultimately made it through the performance — and years later, she is able to tell the story with a laugh.