Lainey Wilson is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year. Wilson won in the category that also included Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen.

“I was just so tickled to be here hosting this thing tonight, I just came into here just wanting to celebrate country music,” Wilson said from stage. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Mama and Daddy and Duck. We get married next year. Thank you for loving me and supporting me, and thank you to the fans. They just keep on making my dreams come true, every single day. I love y’all. God bless.”

Wilson won the CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year one other year, in 2023. In addition to winning the night’s highest honor, Wilson also won Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, for Whirlwind.

Lainey Wilson Reflects On the Influence of Other Women in Country Music

When accepting the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, Wilson also praised the other nominees, especially Miranda Lambert. Lambert, who has won the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year a total of seven times was nominated along with Wilson, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Kelsea Ballerini.

“I’m so proud to be in a category with these women,” Wilson said. “Miranda, you have poured into me. You have sat around a fire with me, and told me what to do, what not to do. And it is because of women like you. Dolly [Parton] and Reba [McEntire], all of the ladies have poured into me. Hillary [Scott], you have poured into me. Barbara Mandrell texted me back there, has poured into me. Jo Dee Messina texted me a three-minute prayer this morning, lifting me up. That’s what it’s about, girls. I just want to say that, find those people. Find those people that lift you up and encourage you, and pray for you, pray with you. Love on you, on the good days, on the bad days, all of it.

“And for the folks that are sitting at home in your mama’s basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other, y’all need to find something better to do,” she added.

Lainey Wilson’s Unforgettable CMA Awards Opener

In addition to winning three CMA Awards, Wilson also kicked off the three-hour ceremony, with an unforgettable opening number, performing clips of a variety of songs from the last several years.

The five-minute performance included Stapleton’s “White Horse,” “Brooks & Dunn’s “Hillbilly Deluxe,” Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me,” Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman,” Lady A’s “Need You Now,” Lambert’s “Gunpowder and Lead,” Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song,” and Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” Little Big Town joined Wilson for “Girl Crush,” which was followed by Keith Urban taking the stage to sing one of his early hits, “Where the Blacktop Ends,” joined by Wilson. Watch it below.

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur