The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards delivered a night of big wins, emotional speeches, and history-making moments in Frisco, Texas. Lainey Wilson was crowned Entertainer of the Year, earning country music’s top honor for the second year in a row. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter also scooped up Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Whirlwind), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, totaling four trophies. In her heartfelt acceptance, Wilson thanked her fellow nominees and admitted to battling “a little bit” of imposter syndrome. “I have the best fans in the world,” she said gratefully in her speech, urging herself to “accept [this moment] with an open heart and an open mind.”
Newcomer Ella Langley emerged as the surprise leader in total wins with five awards. The rising artist won New Female Artist of the Year and was a key part of three collaborative wins – her duet “you look like you love me” with Riley Green earned Single of the Year, Visual Media of the Year, and Music Event of the Year. Langley’s haul marked an exceptional ACM debut, and she beamed backstage about “a dream start” to her career.
Other major honors went to country stalwarts. Soulful crooner Chris Stapleton repeated as Male Artist of the Year (his second straight year and fifth time overall), inching him closer to the record in that category. Iconic duo Brooks & Dunn took home Duo of the Year, a triumphant return to the ACM winner’s circle for the first time in over a decade. Meanwhile, reigning group Old Dominion claimed Group of the Year yet again – their sixth consecutive win, extending a streak that breaks the record previously held by Rascal Flatts. On the newcomers side, first-time ACM victories went to Texas native Cody Johnson, who won Song of the Year for the heartfelt ballad “Dirt Cheap,” as well as to rising singer Zach Top (New Male Artist of the Year) and Southern rock band The Red Clay Strays (New Duo or Group of the Year).
Hosted by country legend Reba McEntire, the awards night featured a string of dynamic performances and special moments. Veteran superstar Alan Jackson received the inaugural ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, earning a standing ovation as he reflected on his storied career. A tribute to Keith Urban – this year’s ACM Triple Crown Award honoree – brought down the house, with Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, and Megan Moroney joining forces to cover Urban’s hits before the man himself jumped on stage. The show’s collaborations were a talking point too: from Miranda Lambert bringing out Ella Langley for a fiery duet of “Kerosene,” to a nostalgic medley by Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys. Through it all, the 2025 ACM Awards celebrated country music’s rich blend of tradition and fresh talent. As Lainey Wilson noted with emotion, “nights like this remind me why I fell in love with country music” – a sentiment shared by many on a memorable ACM evening.
2025 ACM Awards – Complete Winners List
Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
Group of the Year: Old Dominion
New Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley
New Male Artist of the Year: Zach Top
New Duo or Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays
Album of the Year: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce)
Single of the Year: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Song of the Year: “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Visual Media of the Year: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Songwriter of the Year: Jessie Jo Dillon
Artist-Songwriter of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Music Event of the Year: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
(Special Honorees: Alan Jackson received the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, and Keith Urban was honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award.)*
