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NEED TO KNOW
The Grand Ole Opry is turning 100
During a celebration for the renowned Nashville music venue on Thursday, Nov. 20, country musician Holly Williams and husband Chris Coleman invited Gwyneth Paltrow on stage
The trio serenaded the crowd with two of Williams' songs
The Grand Ole Opry is ringing in its 100th anniversary with special performances from country music's stars — and surprise guests, includingGwyneth Paltrow.
The Oscar-winning actress, 53, surprised the crowd at the Nashville venue on Thursday, Nov. 20, when she took the stage with country singerHolly Williamsand Williams' husband, musician Chris Coleman.
Williams, 44, invited theShakespeare in Loveactress to the stage and said, "Can y'all believe your luck? Y'all are used to those Nashville guests, but not those Oscar-winning Hollywood guests." The trio then sang Williams' 2013 song, "Drinkin.'"
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Afterwards, Williams told the crowd, "Can you believe it? Isn't it annoying when they can just do everything and they just walk out looking all like that, right? Looking real good."
Williams went on to share she "had the great honor of meeting" Paltrow years ago, which is when she heard and "fell in love" with Paltrow's "secret voice."
The trio then performed "Waiting on June," which Williams explained is about her mother's parents, who were farmers in Mer Rouge, La., and "taught [her] everything that really matters in life, what's really important."
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Paltrow and Williams have a long history together. Paltrow, who played a country music star and sang in the 2010 film "Country Strong," made her live TV debut performanceat the CMAsthat same year.
While discussing "Country Strong," the Goop founder also name-checked Williams, who is the granddaughter of country music icon Hank Williams, as one of her favorite country artists. "I was very much into Loretta Lynn and Dolly [Parton], and a lot of newer girls, too, like Miranda [Lambert], and [Hillary Scott] with Lady Antebellum, I love her voice," Paltrow toldThe Bootin 2012, adding, "And Holly Williams' record, I love. I like that sort of older style, soulful country. When you can hear the pain in the woman's voice, those are the women that I really connected with."
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Paltrow and Holly have maintained a friendship throughout the years. In 2020, Williams opened up about being mom friends with Paltrow. Holly and Coleman are parents toStella June Coleman, Lillie Mae, Arlo andGeorgia Grace, while Paltrow sharesApple, 21, and sonMoses, 19, with ex-husband Coldplay singerChris Martin, 48.
"We became friendsfour or five years ago and did a summer beach trip together where she had these chalk boards with the kids' names and this point system," Holly told PEOPLE in 2020, adding, "It's a genius idea that I hope to try. I'm lucky to have great girlfriends like Gwyneth and other women who are patient with their children — and I was lucky to have a patient and loving mom. That's all been great for me."
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