The singer was surely channeling the musical legend with her show-stopping performance in Nashville on Wednesday

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

So with that in mind we’re guessing that Mariah Carey should be very flattered after Ariana Grande’s performance at the Country Music Association Awards.

Because the 21-year-old was obviously channeling the pop icon when she performed at the glitzy event in Nashville on Wednesday.

Let’s look at the evidence shall we.

Hand stretched into the air? TICK. Impossibly high note hit? TICK.

Remind you of anyone?

Ariana was surely taking a leaf out of Mariah’s playbook with her outstanding rendition of Bang Bang alongside Little Big Town.

The singer even managed to light up the arena in more ways than one by donning an illuminating dress for the occasion.

It seemed like Christmas had come early when the pint-sized popstar did her thing on stage in the variation of an outfit we’ve seen her in before.

The former Nickelodeon star wasn’t the only famous face to turn heads on the night as a whole host of celebrities had come out to play.

Nicole Kidman, Steven Tyler and Lily Aldridge all made sure to turn heads while wowing on the red carpet .

And then there were some thrilling performances from the likes of Meghan Trainor, Miranda Lambert and Loretta Lynn.