It was her night once again.Lainey Wilson took home the top prize at the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards — the title of entertainer of the year — for a second year in a row.
And that was after she cleaned house, taking home trophies for both female artist and album of the year."I really do have the best fans in the world," she said in her final acceptance speech, admitting to experiencing impostor syndrome."I dreamed about entertaining.
...Country music has given me more than I deserve."Beyond Wilson's dominance, the 2025 ACM Awards were packed with celebration.
Earlier, first-time and leading nominee Ella Langley's duet with Riley Green, the ubiquitous "You Look Like You Love Me," was named single and music event of the year.Both Langley and Green used their first acceptance speech to shout out classic country — songs with talking in them — that inspired their modern hit.A revisitation of the past might have been a theme Thursday night, evidenced right at the top of the ceremony: a 14-minute medley of six decades of country classics, performed by giants of the genre.Host Reba McEntire launched into Merle Haggard's "Okie from Muskogee," followed by Clint Black with Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" and Wynonna Judd with The Judds' "Why Not Me." LeAnn Rimes returned to the ACM Awards stage for her 1997 ballad "Blue." Little Big Town tackled their 2014 track "Girl Crush" and Dan + Shay delivered their "Tequila." It was an exciting way to kick off the ACM Awards, live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas.Here is a list of all the winners:Entertainer of the YearKelsea BalleriniLuke CombsCody JohnsonJelly RollChris StapletonMorgan WallenWinner: Lainey WilsonFemale Artist of the YearKelsea BalleriniElla LangleyMegan MoroneyKacey MusgravesWinner: Lainey WilsonMale Artist of the YearLuke CombsCody JohnsonJelly RollWinner: Chris StapletonMorgan Wallen Duo of the YearWinner: Brooks & DunnBrothers Os...