Lainey Wilson just did the unthinkable. She went back to back.
Live from Frisco, Texas, Lainey Wilson was just named Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 ACM Awards, held at the Ford Center at The Star. This marks her second consecutive win in the show’s top category, and if there was still any debate about who’s leading the pack in country music right now, that conversation’s over.
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Blake Shelton—who won the award himself back in 2012—presented the honor and opened with a tongue-in-cheek list of fake nominees, saying, “Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, and Charley Pride,” before calling out the real lineup.
The category was loaded with heavy hitters. Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson all had a claim to the title. But in the end, it was Lainey who walked away with the trophy.
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As she took the stage, Lainey was visibly emotional but calm. She delivered a heartfelt speech that felt more like a conversation than a moment in the spotlight.
“Thank you so much. I love every single one of y’all in this category,” she said. “Y’all have taken me under your wings… supported me in every way you possibly can.”
She opened up about the self-doubt that comes with standing in a room full of your heroes.
“I’m sure everybody deals with a little bit of imposter syndrome. I won’t lie to you, I have a little bit,” she admitted. “But I read something not long ago that said if something is given to you, accept it with an open heart and open mind.”
For You
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Then she got personal. Real personal.
“I remember, my parents had this old hunting spotlight that we used to take off the charger all the time. My sister would turn all the lights off in the house and shine the spotlight on me as I ran back and forth across the living room.”
That little girl in the living room dreamed of entertaining. And tonight, she stood on country’s biggest stage, holding the highest honor the Academy of Country Music gives out.
“I love making people feel things. I love making people laugh and smile and cry. I’m sorry—I like to make you cry,” she joked. “Country music has given me more than I deserve.”
She closed with gratitude, tears in her voice, and nothing rehearsed.
“My heart is so full. Thank you so much. God bless every single one of y’all.”
Two years ago, Lainey was the one making the rounds as an opener. Tonight, she’s officially the biggest name in the room.
And she earned every bit of it.
