ACM Awards 2025 Highlights: Notable Moments Including Lainey Wilson and Alan Jackson's Performances
Unfiltered Recap of the 2025 ACM Awards: A Lainey Wilson Sweep and Shocking Wins Galore
Lainey Wilson stole the show at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, taking home the top prize - Entertainer of the Year - making history as the first woman to win it twice in a row since Taylor Swift in 2011 and 2012. The "4x4xU" singer-songwriter also brought home trophies for Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.
Reba McEntire hosted the event, which took place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The night was packed with exciting moments, from a packed medley of five decades of ACM Award-winning songs to a moving tribute to Keith Urban, who received the sought-after Triple Crown award.
Ella Langley, a first-time nominee, had a standout night, taking home four trophies, including Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me." The small-town Alabama native also won Music Event of the Year.
Keith Urban received the ACM Triple Crown Award, recognizing his achievements as an artist, songwriter, and recipient of the Triple Crown Award. Urban completed his Triple Crown in 2019 and joined an elite group of artists, including Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Chesney, and Carrie Underwood.
Other highlights included collaborations between Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, and Backstreet Boys. Jessie Murph also made headlines by attending with a miniature pig named Wilbur.
Lainey Wilson's Historic Win
Lainey Wilson accepted her Entertainer of the Year trophy with humility, acknowledging feelings of imposter syndrome. "I read something not long ago that said, 'If something is given to you, then you need to accept it with an open heart and open mind,'" she said during her speech.
Wilson led a night that included buzz-worthy moments, breakout songs, and standing ovations for living legends.
ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award
The ACM Awards introduced a new honor: The ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Jackson, the first honoree and namesake, accepted the award with a pedal steel-soaked performance of his 2003 ballad "Remember When."
A Tribute to Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, and Moroney teamed up for an emotional tribute to Keith Urban, recipient of the ACM Triple Crown. The tribute featured standout performances of "Blue Ain't Your Color" by Stapleton and a medley of other Urban hits, with Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman, in attendance.
Ella Langley's Five Wins
Langley made history with five wins, including New Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Visual Media of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Song of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me."
See the full list of winners here.
Insights:
- Reba McEntire proved she's still got it as a dynamic host.
- Kelsea Ballerini delivered the biggest performance of her award show history.
- Nicole Kidman was in attendance, visibly enjoying the event as Keith Urban received an award.
- Jessie Murph attended with a miniature pig named Wilbur, adding a unique touch to the red carpet.
- Lainey Wilson made history as the third woman to win Entertainer of the Year twice in a row (alongside Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood).
- Ella Langley made history as a first-time nominee with five wins, including Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me."
- Keith Urban received the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award, recognizing his achievements as an artist, songwriter, and recipient of the Triple Crown Award.
In the 2025 ACM Awards, Lainey Wilson, humbly acknowledging her feelings of imposter syndrome, made history by becoming the third woman to win Entertainer of the Year twice in a row, following Taylor Swift. The Event's host, Reba McEntire, proved she's still got the charisma with her dynamic hosting. Ella Langley, a first-time nominee, made history herself by winning five categories, including Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me." The ACM Awards also introduced a new honor, The ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, with Jackson as the inaugural recipient. The night ended with a heartfelt tribute to Keith Urban, who received the ACM Triple Crown Award, further cementing his place among music's greats.
