Lainey Wilson took home the night’s highest honor at the 2025 ACM Awards, for the second year in a row. Wilson was crowned Entertainer of the Year, a category that also included Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll. Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen.

“I love every single one of you in this category,” Wilson said during her acceptance speech. “And you all have taken me under y’all’s wings and took me out on the road with you. Asked me to be on songs. Supported me in every way that you possibly can. I will tell you this: I’m sure everybody deals with a little bit of impostor syndrome, but I won’t lie to you, I have a little bit. But, I read something not long ago that just said, ‘If something is given to you, then you need to accept it with an open heart and an open mind.’ I just appreciate it. I really do have the best fans in the world.”

Wilson goes on to recall a childhood memory, one that became an early indication of the superstar career she would one day enjoy.

“I remember, I was thinking about it earlier this morning. I was just trying to wrap my head around today, and I remember my parents had this old hunting spot that we used to take off the charger all the time,” Wilson remembers. “And my sister would turn all the lights off in the house and she would shine the spotlight on me as I was running back and forth across the living room. I just dreamed about entertaining. I love making people feel things. I love making people laugh and smile and cry. I’m sorry, I like to make you cry, because I love to feel things.

“Everybody loves to feel things, and country music has given me more than I deserve,” she adds, “and I appreciate everybody in this room. My heart is so full. Thank you so much. God bless every single one of y’all.”

Wilson won a total of four trophies at the ACM Awards. She also won Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Whirlwind), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. The Lousiana native is only the third female artist in ACM history to win two back-to-back Entertainer of the Year trophies at the ACM Awards, joining the ranks of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

“I can’t believe I’m even in the same sentence as those ladies,” Wilson said backstage after her Entertainer of the Year win. “It means the world. I definitely didn’t expect this. I didn’t. Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen for much longer, and it’s wild. I’m still trying to process it and wrap my head around it, but I’m proud of the girls. I’m proud the girls are really whopping butt right now, and I’m proud to be a part of that group.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the ACM / Gilbert Flores