NEW YORK — The top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed and barely left the stage Wednesday night.
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Lainey Wilson receives the award for entertainer of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Vince Gill accepts the lifetime achievement award during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. George Strait looks on from right.
Megan Moroney, center, performs "6 Months Later" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Photos: Scenes from the 2025 Country Music Association Awards
Ronnie Dunn, left, and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn receive the award for vocal duo of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Megan Moroney, center, performs "6 Months Later" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Kelsea Ballerini performs "I Sit In Parks" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Luke Combs performs "Back in the Saddle" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Gretchen Wilson, left, and Ne-Yo presents the award for vocal duo of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson receives the award for female vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Charles Kelley, from left, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood of Lady A present the award for female vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Keith Urban, left, presents the award for entertainer of the year to Lainey Wilson during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ella Langley performs "Choosin' Texas" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Brandi Carlile, left, and Patty Loveless perform a tribute to Vince Gill during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vince Gill accepts the lifetime achievement award during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. George Strait looks on from right.
George Strait, left, presents the lifetime achievement award to Vince Gill during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Brandi Carlile looks on from right(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
BigXthaPlug, left, and Luke Combs perform "Pray Hard during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shaboozey, left, and and Stephen Wilson Jr. perform "Took A Walk" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jordan Davis, left, and Lauren Daigle present the award for vocal group of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson performs "Ring Finger" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chris Stapleton, left, and Miranda Lambert perform "A Song To Sing" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Cody Johnson receives the award for male vocalist of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
John Hall, from left, Brandon Coleman, Zachary Rishel, Andrew Bishop, and Andrew Nix of The Red Clay Strays accept the award for vocal group of the year during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Red Clay Strays perform "People Hatin'" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Old Dominion perform a medley of "Break Up With Him," "Memory Lane," "One Man Band," "Hotel Key" and "Snapback" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Steve Martin, left, and Alison Brown perform during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shaboozey performs "Took A Walk" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Lainey Wilson, center, performs "Ring Finger" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tucker Wetmore performs "Wind Up Missin' You" during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
