Lainey Wilson has a lot to celebrate—her career is on fire, she’s gearing up for a massive world tour, and now, she’s engaged to her longtime boyfriend, former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The country superstar shared the exciting news on February 12, posting heartfelt engagement photos that quickly had fans and fellow artists buzzing.
A Picture-Perfect Proposal
Wilson and Hodges posted a collection of romantic snapshots on Instagram captioned “4x4xU forever”—a nod to their relationship and her hit song 4x4xU from her Whirlwind album. The photos reveal a beautifully planned proposal, with roses, candles, and framed pictures of the couple surrounding them on a front porch. One particularly sweet image shows Wilson covering her face in surprise, while another captures the couple sharing a kiss, marking the beginning of their next chapter together.
Of course, Wilson flashed her stunning engagement ring in a video, offering fans a close-up look at the massive diamond as she grinned from ear to ear.
A Love Story Years in the Making
Wilson and Hodges’ relationship dates back to 2021. However, they kept things private until making their red-carpet debut at the 2023 ACM Awards. Since then, they’ve become one of country music’s favorite couples, with Wilson often praising Hodges for being a steady source of love and support in her life.
In an interview with Billboard, she gushed about her now-fiancé, saying, “Thankfully, I have found a man that is so happy that he’s with a lady that can do her own thing. He’s just my cheerleader.”
Their love story is built on mutual understanding—while Wilson has been chasing her country music dreams, Hodges knows what it’s like to devote your life to a passion. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback had his own journey in professional football before retiring in 2022. Wilson has often spoken about how much she appreciates that he understands the demands of her career and never holds her back.
The Proposal She’s Been Waiting For
Lainey Wilson has never been shy about hinting that she was ready for Duck Hodges to pop the question. Just recently, during an interview with Bunnie XO, she jokingly warned Hodges that if he didn’t propose soon, she might take matters into her own hands.
“No pressure, brother! No pressure. We waiting!” she laughed.
Even Hodges seemed to hint at a future together when he saw Wilson dressed in white at the 2024 Grammy Awards and commented, “Gosh dang ❤️🔥 This is what you look like in white?!”
Weeks later, it looks like he made good on all the teasing, and Wilson finally got the moment she hoped for.
A Big Year for Lainey Wilson
While her engagement is a huge milestone, Wilson isn’t slowing down anytime soon. She’s about to embark on her Whirlwind Tour, her first headlining arena tour, which kicks off in Switzerland in March before making its way across Europe and the U.S. through November.
Wilson is riding high with a Grammy win, back-to-back Entertainer of the Year awards from the CMA and ACM, and now a wedding to plan. And if this moment is anything like the rest of her journey, she’s just getting started.
Congratulations to Lainey and Duck—looks like this whirlwind just got even more exciting!
