Lainey Wilson Will Fly Solo as Host of 2025 CMA Awards, After Joining as Co-Host Last Year

Lainey Wilson will take the stage as the exclusive host for the 2025 Country Music Association Awards, a significant promotion after co-hosting the previous year. This solo appointment by CMA producers underscores her meteoric rise to the forefront of the genre. Intensifying the spotlight, Wilson is also a leading contender, sharing the distinction of six nominations with fellow artists Ella Langley and Megan Moroney.

This marks only the second instance in over two decades that the ceremony will rely on a single host. The precedent was set by Luke Bryan in 2021, who succeeded the iconic Vince Gill. Gill himself commanded the stage alone for an entire decade, from 1994 to 2003. Wilson, who solidified her status as a major force by winning Entertainer of the Year in 2023, expressed her deep connection to the event, stating, "I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor. I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role." The 59th annual show will broadcast live on November 19 from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena—the 20,000-seat home of the NHL's Nashville Predators—at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with a streaming option on Hulu available the following day.

Should Wilson maintain this role, she could follow in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood, the record-holder with 12 years of hosting duties from 2008 to 2019, primarily alongside Brad Paisley. According to industry analyst Sarah Jenkins, "Having the most-nominated artist also host the show is a powerful statement. It creates a unique, centered narrative for the entire broadcast and reflects the CMA's confidence in her ability to carry the event." This focused approach is designed to provide a more cohesive and engaging viewer experience, leveraging Wilson's widespread popularity and genuine persona.

Her six nominations include the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, a title she first won in a stunning 2023 upset. She is now considered the favorite to win it again, bolstered by the triumph of her inaugural headlining arena tour, which saw numerous sold-out dates. Her other nominations are for Female Vocalist of the Year, Single and Song of the Year for "4x4xU," Album of the Year for "Whirlwind," and Music Video of the Year for "Somewhere Over Laredo."

"Whirlwind" is just her third major-label album, continuing the trajectory established by her 2021 breakthrough, "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'." Her profile was further elevated by a recurring role on the popular Paramount Network series "Yellowstone," which introduced her music to a vast audience outside traditional country circles. Over the last five years, she has secured an impressive eight top 5 hits on the country airplay chart—five as a solo act and three through notable collaborations—firmly establishing her as one of the format's most consistent hitmakers.