The high prize of entertainer of the 12 months at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, carried out and barely left the stage Wednesday evening.
“It takes a village,” she said in her acceptance speech. “We about to party.” She beat out Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen, last 12 months’s winner in the class.
Earlier in the evening, she won album of the 12 months for “Whirlwind” — marking her second profession win in the class — and earned the trophy for feminine vocalist of the 12 months. It was her fourth time profitable that title.
Keith Urban presents Lainey Wilson with the Entertainer of the Year Award onstage during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images
She celebrated other girls in nation music — and had a few selection phrases for those who don’t.
“For the folks that are sitting at home, in your mama’s basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other,” she concluded her speech. “Y’all need to find something better to do.”
In some methods, it echoed 2023’s award show, where Wilson took home 5 trophies including entertainer of the 12 months.
But it wasn’t just Lainey celebrating at the 59th annual CMA Awards, which aired reside from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. It was also a large evening for Ella Langley and Riley Green from the leap. The duo’s retro radio hit, “You Look Like You Love Me,” took home both single and tune of the 12 months at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards Wednesday evening.
“This song is the gift that keeps on giving,” Langley said.
“How cool is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year,” added Green.
Wilson receives the award for entertainer of the 12 months during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV/Invision/AP
The legendary Vince Gill was introduced with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, serenaded with his traditional “When I Call Your Name” by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless.
“His guitar playing is amazing. His songwriting is amazing. His singing is amazing,” said George Strait. He handed the award to Gill, his pal, and said there was none more deserving. “He’s just an immense talent. And oh, yeah, he plays with The Eagles.”
Gill joked all through his acceptance speech. First, about his high vocal tone, and later, that he might be the only individual to win the award “that’s never smoked any weed,” a nod to its namesake and his pal Nelson.
Brooks & Dunn won vocal duo of the 12 months, their sixteenth victory in the class. “I heard earlier tonight, ‘Man, y’all ever get sick of this?’” Kix Brooks said in his acceptance speech. “Hell no!”
Male vocalist of the 12 months went to Cody Johnson, his first win in the class.
Combs opened the show with a fiery rendition of his single “Back in the Saddle,” setting the stage for Wilson to launch into a spirited medley. She was joined by a star-studded crew of shock collaborators, Little Big Town and Keith Urban among them.
Wilson performs onstage during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. WireImage
Performances arrived fast and fierce from there: Moroney, Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, The Red Clay Strays, Stephen Wilson, Jr. and Kenny Chesney shined, one after another. Old Dominion carried out on a small stage in the center of the viewers, working their manner through a medley of “Break Up with Him,” “Memory Lane,” “One Man Band,” “Hotel Key” and “Snapback.”
Shaboozey introduced some much needed depth; Wilson’s funky “Ring Finger” further proved she can do it all. Langley, Green, Tucker Wetmore and rapper BigXThaPlug held it down for a new technology of nation music followers. The latter was particularly noteworthy: Combs joined the Texas MC for their duet “Pray Hard,” further affirmation of nation and rap’s crossover.
Zach Top, who carried out his ode to six-strings, “Guitar,” early in the show, took home the trophy for new artist of the 12 months.
Earlier in the evening, she won album of the 12 months for “Whirlwind” — marking her second profession win in the class — and earned the trophy for feminine vocalist of the 12 months. It was her fourth time profitable that title. Getty Images for CMA
“I can’t remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not,” he joked in his speech before taking a swig. It was his first CMA Award.
The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, which consists of music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.
The CMA Awards were broadcast reside on ABC and will be obtainable to stream Thursday on Hulu.
