Lainey Wilson is creative in a lot of ways, just not in the kitchen. The Louisiana native reveals that all of the women in her family, including her mother and sister, are experts at cooking, a skill Wilson unfortunately has never been able to mater.
“I didn’t get that gene,” Wilson tells Southern Living. “I could mess up Hot Pockets. I mean, it’s really that bad. My fiancé definitely likes me for a lot of other reasons, because if he was dependent on my cooking, he’d be gone by now. So I feel like I can read directions and do it, but I don’t have that little Louisiana touch like the rest of my folks.”
Wilson’s fiancé, Devlin “Duck” Hodges, thankfully can take care of their meals, whenever they are home together.
“He can cook,” Wilson boasts. “He’s an Alabama boy, so he knows how to whip it up.”
How Lainey Wilson Stays Grounded
Wilson’s star power continues to grow, more than four years after her debut Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ album was released in 2021. Wilson has had numerous No. 1 singles, sold-out tour dates, accumulated numerous awards, and was recently announced as the lone host of the 2025 CMA Awards. Fortunately, all of her success is unlikely to get in her head, thanks to her rural upbringing.
“I think the thing that has helped me keep one foot on the ground is just keeping my people close—the ones that know Lainey and not Lainey Wilson,” says the singer. “I go home to Baskin, and everybody’s trying to stop by and see me. But it’s not because of everything that’s going on; it’s just because they want to stop by and see me. And just making sure that I’m taking the time to do the things that make me feel like Lainey, the sister and friend and daughter.”
When Wilson does find time in her busy schedule to go home, seeing family is her first – and only – priority.
“I go straight to Monroe and see my little nephews, and then we all end up going to Baskin. And, man, we just love being outside. My horse turned 30 this year, so I think I just got my final ride on him. And there’s nothing like driving down my hometown road—and the highway they just named after me in Baskin.”
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Where Lainey Wilson Wants to Raise Her Family
Wilson might love Louisiana, but it’s likely not where she and Hodges will ultimately settle down. The 33-year-old reveals that if she and Hodges have children, they will likely raise their family in Tennessee.
“I think Nashville is just a good spot. Even if music wasn’t a thing, I think they’ve got good schools,” Wilson says on This Past Weekend With Theo Von (via Taste of Country).
“And I feel like you can go far out right now — you can go far out enough on any side and feel like you’re in the country,” she adds.