I mean, it could just be because she’s talented?
I’ll admit, I thought Morgan Wallen absolutely deserved to win Entertainer of the Year tonight at the CMA Awards. Nobody is bigger or has done more for country music over the past year.
But it’s hard to find anything bad to say about Lainey Wilson winning it either.
Lainey took home her second Entertainer of the Year award tonight, after first winning the night’s top prize back in 2023. And naturally, there were a lot of fans of other artists who weren’t happy about it…and a lot of conspiracy theories after she not only won Entertainer of the Year but also took home Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Whirlwind (in addition to hosting the show).
Some people think she has some kind of dirt on the CMA Awards – or that she’s getting special treatment because she’s the host:
Others seem to think there’s bribery involved. (For the record, I’m a CMA member and nobody even tried to bribe me for my vote).
https://twitter.com/af1313af/status/1991355573049377258
But there were plenty of other wild conspiracy theories too:
And the comments were much the same over on Instagram:
“Lainey Wilson must be good friends with whoever picks the winners.”
“Lainey Wilson is paying off the CMA’s. Because there is no logical reason she won. Shes still on theaters and amphitheaters”
“Lainey Wilson has the Russian FSB working as her lobbyists. That’s my only conclusion.”
Look, I get it. I thought it should have been somebody else too, simply because Morgan is undeniably the biggest artist in country music, which is what the award should be about.
But it’s also not fair to Lainey because she was undoubtedly deserving of the award. She works her a– off for country music, is an incredible ambassador for the genre, and puts on a killer live show. Sure, she’s not selling out stadiums like some of the other nominees, but she also doesn’t deserve the hate she’s already getting for her awards.
I guess that’s a good problem to have though: Winning so much that people get sick of it.
2025 CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year
- Morgan Wallen
- Luke Combs
- Lainey Wilson – Winner
- 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 – Winner
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson – Winner
- Zach Top
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Lainey Wilson – Winner
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group of the Year
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays – Winner
- Little Big Town
- Lady A
- Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn – Winner
- 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 – Winner
- 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 – Winner
- 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 – Winner
- 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 – Winner
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
- “You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
