NEW YORK — The top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed and barely left the stage Wednesday night.
"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 year's winner in the category.
Earlier in the night, she won album of the year for "Whirlwind" — marking her second career win in the category — and earned the trophy for female vocalist of the year. It was her fourth time winning that title.
She celebrated other women in country music — and had a few choice words for those who don't.
Lainey Wilson receives the award for entertainer of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
"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."
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In some ways, it echoed 2023's award show, where Wilson took home five trophies including entertainer of the year.
But it wasn't just Lainey celebrating at the 59th annual CMA Awards, which aired live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. It was also a big night for Ella Langley and Riley Green from the jump. The duo's retro radio hit, "You Look Like You Love Me," took home both single and song of the year on Wednesday night.
"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.
The legendary Vince Gill was presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, serenaded with his classic "When I Call Your Name" by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless.
Vince Gill accepts the lifetime achievement award during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. George Strait looks on from right.
"His guitar playing is amazing. His songwriting is amazing. His singing is amazing," said George Strait. He handed the award to Gill, his friend, and said there was none more deserving. "He's just an immense talent. And oh, yeah, he plays with The Eagles."
Gill joked throughout his acceptance speech. First, about his high vocal tone, and later, that he might be the only person to win the award "that's never smoked any weed," a nod to its namesake and his friend Nelson.
Brooks & Dunn won vocal duo of the year, their 16th victory in the category. "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 year went to Cody Johnson, his first win in the category.
Winners at the 2025 CMA Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR : Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; producer, Will Bundy; mix engineer, Jim Cooley
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; producer, Jay Joyce; mix engineers, Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
SONG OF THE YEAR: “you look like you love you” – songwriters, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Cody Johnson
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Brooks & Dunn
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); producers, Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR : “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; directors, Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR : Zach Top
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 surprise collaborators, Little Big Town and Keith Urban among them.
Megan Moroney, center, performs "6 Months Later" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
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 performed on a small stage in the middle of the audience, working their way through a medley of "Break Up with Him," "Memory Lane," "One Man Band," "Hotel Key" and "Snapback."
Shaboozey brought 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 generation of country music fans. The latter was especially noteworthy: Combs joined the Texas MC for their duet "Pray Hard," further confirmation of country and rap's crossover.
Zach Top, who performed his ode to six-strings, "Guitar," early in the show, took home the trophy for new artist of the year. "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 includes music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.
The CMA Awards were broadcast live on ABC and will be available to stream Thursday on Hulu.
Photos: Scenes from the 2025 Country Music Association Awards
Ronnie Dunn, left, and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn receive the award for vocal duo of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Megan Moroney, center, performs "6 Months Later" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Kelsea Ballerini performs "I Sit In Parks" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Luke Combs performs "Back in the Saddle" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Gretchen Wilson, left, and Ne-Yo presents the award for vocal duo of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson receives the award for female vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Charles Kelley, from left, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood of Lady A present the award for female vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Keith Urban, left, presents the award for entertainer of the year to Lainey Wilson during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ella Langley performs "Choosin' Texas" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tucker Wetmore performs "Wind Up Missin' You" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Brandi Carlile, left, and Patty Loveless perform a tribute to Vince Gill during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vince Gill accepts the lifetime achievement award during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. George Strait looks on from right.
George Strait, left, presents the lifetime achievement award to Vince Gill during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Brandi Carlile looks on from right(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
BigXthaPlug, left, and Luke Combs perform "Pray Hard during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shaboozey, left, and and Stephen Wilson Jr. perform "Took A Walk" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jordan Davis, left, and Lauren Daigle present the award for vocal group of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson performs "Ring Finger" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chris Stapleton, left, and Miranda Lambert perform "A Song To Sing" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Cody Johnson receives the award for male vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
John Hall, from left, Brandon Coleman, Zachary Rishel, Andrew Bishop, and Andrew Nix of The Red Clay Strays accept the award for vocal group of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Red Clay Strays perform "People Hatin'" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Old Dominion perform a medley of "Break Up With Him," "Memory Lane," "One Man Band," "Hotel Key" and "Snapback" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Steve Martin, left, and Alison Brown perform during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shaboozey performs "Took A Walk" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson, center, performs "Ring Finger" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

