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.
Lainey Wilson attends the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 8, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage via Getty
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 OsborneDan + ShayMuscadine BloodlineThe War and TreatyGroup of the YearFlatland CavalryLittle Big TownWinner: Old DominionRascal FlattsThe Red Clay StraysAlbum of the YearAm I Okay? (I'll Be Fine), Megan MoroneyBeautifully Broken, Jelly RollCold Beer & Country Music, Zach TopF-1 Trillion, Post MaloneWinner: Whirlwind, Lainey WilsonSingle of the Year"A Bar Song (Tipsy)," Shaboozey"Dirt Cheap," Cody Johnson"I Had Some Help," Post Malone, Morgan Wallen"White Horse," Chris StapletonWinner: "You Look Like You Love Me," Ella Langley, Riley GreenSong of the Year"4x4xU," Lainey Wilson"The Architect," Kacey MusgravesWinner: "Dirt Cheap," Cody Johnson"I Had Some Help," Post Malone, Morgan Wallen"You Look Like You Love Me," Ella Langley, Riley GreenMusic Event of the Year"Cowboys Cry Too," Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan"I Had Some Help," Post Malone, Morgan Wallen"I'm Gonna Love You," Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood"We Don't Fight Anymore," Carly Pearce, Chris StapletonWinner: "You Look Like You Love Me," Ella Langley, Riley GreenSongwriter of the YearJessi AlexanderWinner: Jessie Jo DillonAshley GorleyChase McGillJosh OsborneArtist-Songwriter of the YearLuke CombsERNESTHARDYMorgan WallenWinner: Lainey WilsonVisual Media of the Year"4x4xU," Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jennifer Ansell; Director: Dano Cerny"Dirt Cheap," Cody Johnson; Producer: Dustin Haney; Director: Dustin Haney"I'm Gonna Love You," Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood; Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry; Director: Dustin Haney"Think I'm In Love With You," Chris Stapleton; Producers: Wes Edwards, Angie Lorenz, Jamie Stratakis; Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)Winner: "You Look Like You Love Me," Ella Langley, Riley Green; Producer: Alex Pescosta; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales ToneyNew Female Artist of the YearKassi AshtonAshley CookeDashaWinner: Ella LangleyJessie MurphNew Male Artist of the YearGavin AdcockShaboozeyWinner: Zach TopTucker WetmoreBailey ZimmermanNew Duo or Group of the YearRestless RoadWinner: The Red Clay StraysTreaty Oak Revival More