The 59th annual CMA Awards returned to Nashville on Wednesday night with the kind of energy only country music’s biggest evening can bring — a mix of legacy moments, breakout wins, emotional speeches, and a few surprises that kept the room buzzing long after the final envelope was opened. By the end of the night, two names stood out above all: Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson.
Lainey Wilson proved once again that she’s in the middle of a career renaissance that shows no signs of slowing down. Serving double duty as both emcee and major winner, Wilson captured the coveted entertainer of the year trophy — the CMA’s top honor — and added album of the year for her fifth studio project, Whirlwind.
Meanwhile, Ella Langley’s rise hit major new heights. Her viral smash “You Look Like You Love Me,” a powerhouse collaboration with Riley Green, swept both single of the year and song of the year. Langley was visibly moved as she took the stage alongside Green to accept the song of the year award. “I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because fans keep on listening to it,” she told the crowd, offering one of the night’s most sincere speeches.
In one of the evening’s more memorable moments, Zach Top was crowned new artist of the year — and in full on-brand fashion, he accepted the award with a can of Coors in his hand. The category was stacked with buzzy newcomers including Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., and even Langley herself, but Top’s throwback charm and rapid ascent ultimately won voters over. His win highlighted the genre’s widening lane for new talent that blends traditional roots with modern flair.
But every ceremony has its unexpected turns, and this year’s came at the expense of one of country’s biggest names. Morgan Wallen — last year’s entertainer of the year and the artist behind I’m The Problem, one of the year’s top-selling projects in any genre — walked away without a single win. In a night defined by shifting tides and emerging stars, Wallen’s shutout signaled just how competitive and evolving the landscape has become.
Another notable shakeup came courtesy of the Red Clay Strays, who finally brought an end to Old Dominion’s CMA-record seven-year streak as vocal group of the year.
By the show’s final moments, it was clear that this year’s CMAs belonged to artists pushing country forward while keeping its emotional core intact. With Wilson and Langley leading the charge, and rising talents like Top changing the texture of the genre, the 2025 ceremony felt like a snapshot of country music in transition — bold, heartfelt, unpredictable, and entirely alive.
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Whirlwind, Lainey Wilson
Song of the Year
“4x4xU,” Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?” Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me” Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Musical Event of the Year
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)“
Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr
