Lainey Wilson dominates CMA Awards 2025 with Entertainer of the Year repeat – but Ella Langley & Riley Green’s smash hit sweeps too! Relive Luke Combs’ heartbreak, Cody Johnson’s upset, and red-hot performances that had Nashville on fire. Who’s your fave winner?
Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena exploded into country music magic on November 19, 2025, as the 59th CMA Awards delivered jaw-dropping wins, tear-jerking speeches, and performances that left fans screaming for more. Hosted solo by powerhouse Lainey Wilson – the first woman to helm the show alone since Reba McEntire in 1991 – the night crowned her Entertainer of the Year for the second time, edging out heavy hitters like Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen in a nail-biter finale. But the real fireworks? Ella Langley and Riley Greens steamy duet You Look Like You Love Me sweeping Single and Music Video of the Year, while Cody Johnson shocked the crowd by snatching Male Vocalist from Chris Stapletons iron grip. Zach Top, beer in hand, toasted his New Artist win with raw gratitude that had everyone cheering. Kelsea Ballerini owned the stage with her vulnerable I Sit In Parks set amid simulated rain, channeling heartbreak in a sheer red gown that turned heads on the carpet too. Luke Combs brought the beer-soaked anthems but walked away empty-handed in majors, fueling fan debates online. Post Malone crashed the party with a Musical Event win for Pour Me a Drink alongside Blake Shelton, proving country collabs are unstoppable. The Red Clay Strays upset Old Dominion for Vocal Group, and Brooks & Dunn held strong in Duo. Vince Gill snagged the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in a tribute-packed moment that brought legends like Patty Loveless to tears. Highlights included Brandi Carlile and Miranda Lamberts fiery duet, Keith Urbans guitar wizardry, and a surprise BigXthaPlug drop that blended hip-hop with twang. With six noms each, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey led the pack pre-show, but it was underdogs like Zach Top (five nods) who stole the spotlight. If you blinked, you missed Cody Johnsons teary Male Vocalist speech: “This ones for the dreamers who never quit.” Stream it all on Hulu now and vote in our poll: Did Lainey deserve the double crown? Spill in comments below!
| Category | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| Entertainer of the Year | Lainey Wilson |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Lainey Wilson |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Cody Johnson |
| New Artist of the Year | Zach Top |
| Vocal Group of the Year | The Red Clay Strays |
| Vocal Duo of the Year | Brooks & Dunn |
| Single of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green |
| Album of the Year | Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson |
| Song of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green |
| Music Video of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green |
| Musical Event of the Year | “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) |
#CMAAwards2025 #LaineyWilson #EntertainerOfTheYear #EllaLangley #RileyGreen #CodyJohnson #ZachTop #CountryMusicAwards #NashvilleNights #CMAWinners
cma awards 2025 winners, cma awards winners list 2025, lainey wilson cma 2025, ella langley riley green cma, cody johnson cma win, zach top new artist cma, country music awards 2025 highlights
luke combs cma 2025, kelsea ballerini cma performance, morgan wallen cma, chris stapleton cma, post malone cma win, red clay strays cma group
cmaawards.com, billboard.com, variety.com, rollingstone.com, people.com, eonline.com, abcnews.go.com, forbes.com, usmagazine.com
