At the 2025 CMA Awards, Lainey Wilson is named entertainer of the year.

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.

New York — Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed, and hardly left the stage on Wednesday night, won the top prize for entertainer of the year at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards.

In her winning speech, she stated, "It takes a village." "We're going to party." She defeated Morgan Wallen, the category winner from the previous year, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Chris Stapleton.

Earlier in the evening, she won the prize for female vocalist of the year and album of the year for "Whirlwind," which was her second career victory in the category. She had won that title four times.

In addition to praising other female country musicians, she had some scathing remarks for those who don't.

She ended her statement by saying, "For the folks that are sitting at home, in your mama's basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other." "You guys should find better things to do."

It was somewhat similar to the 2023 award ceremony, where Wilson won five awards, including entertainer of the year.

At the 59th annual CMA Awards, which were broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, Lainey wasn't the only one having fun. From the beginning, Ella Langley and Riley Green had a tremendous night as well. At the 2025 Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, the pair's classic radio smash, "You Look Like You Love Me," won both single and song of the year.

Langley remarked, "This song is the gift that keeps on giving."

Green said, "How awesome is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year?"

Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless sang his beloved song "When I Call Your Name" as the legendary Vince Gill accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

"His guitar playing is incredible. He writes incredible songs. George Strait remarked, "His singing is incredible." He claimed that no one was more worthy and gave the trophy to his friend Gill. "He simply has extraordinary talent." Indeed, he is a member of the Eagles.

Throughout his acceptance speech, Gill made jokes. First, about his high voice, and then that he might be the sole recipient of the medal "that's never smoked any weed," a reference to both his friend Nelson and the award's namesake.

For the 16th time in the category, Brooks & Dunn won vocal duo of the year. "Man, do you ever get tired of this?" I heard earlier tonight. In his award speech, Kix Brooks stated. "Hell no!"

Cody Johnson won Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time.

Wilson launched into an energetic medley after Combs's furious performance of his single "Back in the Saddle" opened the program. A star-studded group of unexpected collaborators, including Keith Urban and Little Big Town, joined her.

Wilson's quirky "Ring Finger" further demonstrated her versatility, while Shaboozey added some much-needed depth. For a new generation of country music enthusiasts, Langley, Green, Tucker Wetmore, and rapper BigXThaPlug held it down. The latter was particularly notable: Combs joined the Texas MC for their duet "Pray Hard," which further demonstrated the blending of rap and country music.

Zach Top won the award for new artist of the year after performing his devotion to six strings, "Guitar," early in the performance. He joked in his address, "I can't remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not," before taking a sip. His first CMA Award was this one.

Music executives, performers, publicists, songwriters, and other industry professionals are among the members of the Country Music Association who nominate and vote on the CMA Awards.

The CMA Awards were streamed live on ABC and will be accessible on Hulu on Thursday.