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Lainey Wilson Returns To Host 59th Annual CMA Awards
She’s back.
This morning, the CMA Awards announced that previous Entertainer of the Year winner (2023) Lainey Wilson will return to host the show, which she previously co-hosted with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
It looks like they’re going to the one host model this year, though, which I think is the right move because it truly does nto take three people to host this show, and Lainey certainly has the personality and experience to do it on her own.
In addition to hosting, Lainey is one of the most nominated artists this year, tied with Megan Moroney and Ella Langley, who all have six nods across the 12 major categories. Last year, Lainey won two CMA Awards, taking home the trophies for Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
The bell-bottom queen is ready, are y’all? @LaineyWilson returns to host “The 59th Annual #CMAawards” LIVE November 19 on @ABCNetwork and stream next day on @Hulu! pic.twitter.com/WtnRaKKg57
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) September 30, 2025
Notably, Langley continues her incredible hot streak with “you look like you love me” (featuring Riley Green), receiving three separate nominations for Single, Song and Music Video of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year.
Zach Top is also riding the highs of his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, last year, as the “Use Me” singer received five nominations in Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”) and Album of the Year (Cold Beer & Country Music).
Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Morgan Wallen, is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (I’m The Problem). He will compete with Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton in an attempt to become the first back-to-back EOTY winner since Combs himself did it back in 2021-22.
The 2025 CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena on November 19 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
You can view the full list of nominees below.
Entertainer of the Year
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs
Lainey Wilson
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillon – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Zach Top
Female Vocalist of the Year
Lainey Wilson
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group of the Year
Old Dominion
The Red Clay Strays
Little Big Town
Lady A
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Dan + Shay
Brothers Osborne
The War and Treaty
Maddie & Tae
Single of the Year
“4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Mat Rovey
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Song of the Year
“4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” – Blake Shelton
Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
New Artist of the Year
Zach Top
Ella Langley
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Tucker Wetmore
Shaboozey
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Brett Mason (Guitar)
Rob McNelley (Guitar)
Derek Wells (Guitar)
Music Video of the Year
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Alexander Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
Musical Event of the Year
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley
Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/ Jelly Roll
Producer: Micha Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/ Carrie Underwood
Producer: Trent Willmon
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
Producer: Kristian Bush
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