Lainey Wilson Reigns Supreme, Ella Langley & Riley Green Sweep Three as Women and New Blood Dominate 2025 CMA Awards
Photo Credit: Missy Wolf
Last night at Bridgestone Arena, Lainey Wilson proved once again why she is the reigning queen of country music. She opened the 59th Annual CMA Awards with a performance nobody will ever forget. Lainey walked straight through the audience singing a medley of covers, she stopped right in front of Luke Combs to belt “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” grabbed the mic with Miranda Lambert for “Gunpowder & Lead,” and then, y’all, the moment that gave me chills, she got to Little Big Town, started “Girl Crush,” and Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet all stood up with their microphones and sang it with her, while the entire arena sang every single word. Pure magic.
Lainey hosted the show solo for the second year in a row, only the third woman in CMA history to do that, and she walked away with three trophies of her own, Entertainer of the Year (her second), Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and Female Vocalist of the Year. Ella Langley and Riley Green shocked everybody when “you look like you love me” took home Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year, three awards each for those two. Zach Top grabbed New Artist of the Year and accepted it holding a Coors, Cody Johnson won Male Vocalist, The Red Clay Strays finally broke Old Dominion’s streak for Vocal Group, and Brooks & Dunn picked up their record-extending 16th Duo trophy, making them the most-awarded act ever with 20 total. Post Malone and Blake Shelton won Musical Event for “Pour Me a Drink,” and Vince Gill accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award with the funniest line of the night, joking he is the only recipient who has never smoked weed.
The performances were fire all night long, Luke Combs brought out BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey, and Stephen Wilson Jr., Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton tore the house down, Kenny Chesney paid tribute to the 2025 Hall of Fame class, and so many more. Keep your eyes on our socials because we have exclusive backstage moments coming with Zach Top, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Vince Gill, and more, along with badass co-host Reagan Richards (Williams Honor) so be on the lookout for those! ~Missy
Winners at the 59th Annual CMA Awards (November 19, 2025)The awards were presented in the following order during the live broadcast from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Winners are listed with their respective categories, based on official announcements and recaps.
| Award Category | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| Musical Event of the Year | Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) – "Pour Me a Drink" (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome) |
| Music Video of the Year | Ella Langley & Riley Green – "you look like you love me" (Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney) |
| Single of the Year | Ella Langley & Riley Green – "you look like you love me" (Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley) |
| New Artist of the Year | Zach Top |
| Song of the Year | Ella Langley & Riley Green – "you look like you love me" (Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere) |
| Album of the Year | Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind (Producer: Jay Joyce) |
| 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 |
| Entertainer of the Year | Lainey Wilson |
| Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award | Vince Gill |
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About Missy Wolf
Co-Founder, Editor, Journalist & Vice President of the American Country Music AssociationFrom an early age I knew music and entertainment were in my blood. I have always been enamored with the idea of being in this industry, though I never wanted to be a front and center "Star". Taking the audience behind the scenes for up close conversations with the artists they love is where I want to be. Life in lyrics has always been my style, so as my favorite country artist Wade Hayes sings, I am living my life and chasing my dreams! Conducting interviews, meeting talented people and sharing stories and adventure are my passion. My new favorite hashtag is #iaskyouanswer, so stay tuned for more interviews, articles and adventures!
