NEED TO KNOW
- Lainey Wilson received Entertainer of the 12 months on the 2025 CMA Awards
- Nominees additionally included Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and reigning champ Morgan Wallen
- The 59th Annual CMA Awards aired stay from Nashville’s Bridgestone Area
And this yr’s CMA Award for Entertainer of the 12 months goes to…
Lainey Wilson was named Entertainer of the 12 months throughout the 2025 CMA Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Area on Wednesday, Nov. 19, successful over Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen.
Wilson, who additionally served because the night time’s host, obtained her award from Keith City shortly after additionally taking dwelling the win for Feminine Vocalist of the 12 months. It marks her second Entertainer of the 12 months prize on the CMAs.
“I’mma be sincere with y’all. I used to be simply so tickled to be right here internet hosting this factor tonight. I simply got here into right here simply desirous to have a good time nation music, the love of my life and I do know the love of so lots of y’all’s lives,” she stated.
The “4x4xU” singer went on to thank her dad and mom Michelle and Brian, Jesus, and her fiancé Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
“We’re getting married subsequent yr, come on now!” she stated to applause. “I couldn’t do that with out my village. It takes a village. I simply have essentially the most unimaginable crew of people that simply work tirelessly on a regular basis.”
She continued, “Thanks for loving me and supporting me and thanks to the followers that simply carry on making my desires come true each single day. I really like y’all. God bless. We about to get together at Bell Bottoms Up.”
Take a look at all of ipromiseyoumedia’s full CMA Awards protection right here.
Wilson, 33, additionally earned nominations on the 2025 CMA Awards for Single of the 12 months and Music of the 12 months with “4x4xU,” Album of the 12 months with Whirlwind, Music Video of the 12 months with “Someplace Over Laredo.”
“I’ve at all times had stars in my eyes,” Wilson informed ipromiseyoumedia in July whereas discussing her Nation Music Corridor of Fame and Museum exhibit. “I see it within the footage of me as somewhat woman. I really feel like I’ve tried my finest to carry on to that inside little one, and I’m happy with her. I feel she’s received grit.”
Fellow nominee Combs, 35, additionally earned nominations on the 2025 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the 12 months and Single of the 12 months for the Twisters soundtrack minimize “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and No. 4 on U.S. Nation Songs.
In an interview with Style of Nation forward of the awards present, Combs revealed his decide for Entertainer of the 12 months — aside from himself. “I imply, I feel Lainey’s chances are high excessive,” he stated. “However CoJo [Cody Johnson] could be kinda sick, too, what I imply? He is nice. I really like him, too.”
Johnson, 38, additionally earned nominations on the 2025 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the 12 months in addition to Musical Occasion of the 12 months and Music Video of the 12 months for “I am Gonna Love You” with Carrie Underwood — which reached No. 37 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and No. 3 on U.S. Nation Airplay.
In an interview with Billboard, Johnson spoke about how “I am Gonna Love You” was written eight years earlier than its launch and even pitched to Underwood earlier than making its strategy to him.
“I had no concept that she had even heard the tune,” he stated. “After I despatched it over to them, she was like, ‘Nicely that is the second time this tune has made its method into my life.’ I feel it’s a God factor. I feel we have been meant to sing that tune collectively and the timing was proper. And it might nearly be a pop crossover, it has that really feel to it, however we’re singing it like a gospel tune.”
Stapleton, 47, additionally earned nominations on the 2025 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the 12 months and Music Video of the 12 months for “Suppose I’m In Love With You.” Initially launched on his Greater album in 2023, the tune reached No. 49 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and No. 12 on U.S. Nation Airplay.
Forward of tonight’s present, Stapleton beforehand received fifteen CMA Awards — most not too long ago Male Vocalist of the 12 months in 2023. “I by no means considered myself as someone who’d win this award,” he stated on the time. I am so grateful for every one who works so laborious to make us in a position to do what we do — my spouse Morgane, thanks.”
Wallen, 32, additionally earned nominations on the 2025 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the 12 months in addition to Album of the 12 months with I am the Drawback, which turned his third to prime the Billboard 200 chart following its Might 16 launch.
Final month, Wallen introduced his upcoming Nonetheless the Drawback Tour, set to hit stadiums all through North America in spring and summer time 2026. “I’d prefer to suppose that over the previous yr I’ve grown a ton,” he stated in a video announcement. “For a very long time I had lots of issues holding me again, and I really feel like I’ve stated goodbye to lots of these issues, and I’m happy with the outcomes that got here from doing that.”
The 59th Annual CMA Awards broadcast stay from Nashville’s Bridgestone Area on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on ABC. The present streams the next day on Hulu.
