2025 ACM Awards Recap: Highlights Including Lainey Wilson, Alan Jackson, and More Unforgettable Moments
Rewritten Article:
Lainey Wilson left the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards with a bang! Known for her hit single "4x4xU," the talented singer-songwriter went home with a trophy for Entertainer of the Year - making her the first woman to win this title in consecutive years since Taylor Swift in 2011-2012.
"I'll be honest, I've felt a little imposter syndrome," Wilson confessed as she accepted her prestigious prize, the night's top honor. "I read something that said, 'If something is given to you, then you should accept it with an open heart and open mind.'"
Wilson had a remarkable night, with victories in not one, not two, but three categories - Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year among them. Her success follows the release of her 2024 album, Whirlwind.
Speaking about her fellow nominees for Female Artist of the Year, Kelsea Ballerini, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Kacey Musgraves, Wilson showed respect and camaraderie. "I couldn't do this without you all. I owe everything to each of you," she shared, expressing her gratitude for the strong female company in the industry.
Another notable moment of the night was the unveiling of the ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, with Jackson himself being the inaugural recipient and namesake of the honor. The 66-year-old country music icon accepted the award with a heartfelt pedal-steel performance of his touching ballad, "Remember When."
Jackson, who was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in 2022, humbly acknowledged the honor, "I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. All these years later, I'm standing here ... it's just mind-blowing."
Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, and Moroney teamed up for an emotional tribute to Keith Urban, the recipient of the prestigious ACM Triple Crown. Urban completed his Triple Crown in 2019, making him part of a distinguished group including Stapleton, Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Chesney, and Carrie Underwood.
The special night was also filled with all-star medleys, including a time-hopping run through six decades of ACM Award-winning songs, and collaborations among artists such as Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, and Backstreet Boys teaming up with Rascal Flatts.
60 Years Of Songs
Urban's tribute wasn't the only all-star medley of the night, either. To commemorate the show's 60th anniversary, the show kicked off with a time-traveling performance featuring MeEntire, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, and Dan + Shay, who closed the segment with a crowd-pleasing rendition of "Tequila."
Ella Langley's shining night
Langley, a first-time nominee from humble origins in Alabama, left the ACM Awards with four trophies - New Female Artist of the Year, Visual Media of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Single of the Year. She won Visual Media, Music Event, and Single of the Year for her duet collaboration with Riley Green, "You Look Like You Love Me," which features spoken-word verses.
Langley continued to shine with an astounding performance of her latest single, "Weren't For The Wind," taken from her debut album Hungover. "I'm still out of breath a little, and I feel like I've been this way since this song came out," she acknowledged after catching her breath. "This song really changed it for me as a songwriter. It taught me to just not care so much, and write what I love."
Notable collaborations
Of course, a country music event wouldn't be complete without a few successful collaborations. Some of the highlights included:
- Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and Reba McEntire united for the debut performance of their powerful new song, "Trailblazer."
- Jelly Roll, nominee for Entertainer of the Year, took the stage with "A Bar Song" breakout artist Shaboozey for their inspiring duet, "Amen."
- Cody Johnson, winner of the Song of the Year trophy, joined Duo of the Year recipients Brooks & Dunn in a heartwarming performance of their timeless hit, "Red Dirt Road."
- In a captivating pop music crossover, Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts closed the show with a spellbinding medley featuring "What Hurts The Most," "Larger Than Life," and "Life Is A Highway."
But the most memorable collaboration might have been early in the show, when Langley joined Lambert for a modern twist on Lambert's iconic breakout single, "Kerosene." The duo swapped lines, dancing along in unison as pyrotechnics framed the stage in flames, with Langley donning a "mama tried" tank top, a nod to Lambert's music video for the 20-year-old classic.
See a complete list of the 2025 ACM Awards winners here.
[1] Taylor Swift wins two consecutive Entertainer of the Year awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards[2] Lainey Wilson's historic back-to-back wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards[3] Lainey Wilson's impact on country music and the trials she's faced as a woman in the industry
Lainey Wilson, who won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards for the second year in a row, shared that she felt imposter syndrome but accepted her prize with open heart and mind. Ella Langley, a first-time nominee, won four awards, including Single of the Year for her duet with Riley Green. The night also featured memorable collaborations, such as Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and Reba McEntire performing their new song "Trailblazer," and Ella Langley joining Lambert for a modern twist on Lambert's iconic "Kerosene." In addition, songwriters were heavily represented, with Alan Jackson receiving the ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Overall, the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards was filled with star-studded performances and celebrations of music and entertainment.
