Lainey Wilson Named Host of 2025 CMA Awards

Nashville, Tennessee

Lainey Wilson will host the 2025 CMA Awards, making her the sole anchor for the event this year. Wilson previously co-hosted the awards show in 2024 alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. Her selection as the primary host signals her rapid rise in the country music industry.

This year’s event holds significance as it marks only the second time in 22 years that the CMAs will feature a solo host. The last instance was in 2021 when Luke Bryan hosted alone. Before that, Vince Gill had a long-standing solo hosting role from 1994 to 2003.

Wilson expressed her excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I grew up watching the CMAs like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor.” She added that she feels humbled by the trust the CMA has placed in her.

The 59th annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 19 at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

As Wilson takes on the hosting role for a second year, she has notable predecessors. Carrie Underwood has the longest tenure, hosting for 12 years from 2008 to 2019. Brad Paisley co-hosted with Underwood for most of those years, while Gill hosted alone for a decade.

This year, Wilson is nominated for six awards, including entertainer of the year, a title she won in 2023. Her nominations also include female vocalist of the year and categories for single and song of the year for her hit “4x4xU.” She is seen as a frontrunner for the entertainer of the year award after a successful headlining arena tour.

“Whirlwind,” her latest album, is only her third major-label record. Wilson gained fame with her 2021 album “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’,” and she has seen significant success on the country airplay chart, landing eight top 5 hits in five years.