Lainey Wilson Returns To Host 59th Annual CMA Awards

She’s back.

This morning, the CMA Awards announced that previous Entertainer of the Year winner (2023) Lainey Wilson will return to host the show, which she previously co-hosted with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.

It looks like they’re going to the one host model this year, though, which I think is the right move because it truly does nto take three people to host this show, and Lainey certainly has the personality and experience to do it on her own.

In addition to hosting, Lainey is one of the most nominated artists this year, tied with Megan Moroney and Ella Langley, who all have six nods across the 12 major categories. Last year, Lainey won two CMA Awards, taking home the trophies for Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”

The bell-bottom queen is ready, are y’all? @LaineyWilson returns to host “The 59th Annual #CMAawards” LIVE November 19 on @ABCNetwork and stream next day on @Hulu! pic.twitter.com/WtnRaKKg57

— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) September 30, 2025

Notably, Langley continues her incredible hot streak with “you look like you love me” (featuring Riley Green), receiving three separate nominations for Single, Song and Music Video of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year.

Zach Top is also riding the highs of his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, last year, as the “Use Me” singer received five nominations in Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”) and Album of the Year (Cold Beer & Country Music).

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Morgan Wallen, is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (I’m The Problem). He will compete with Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton in an attempt to become the first back-to-back EOTY winner since Combs himself did it back in 2021-22.

The 2025 CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena on November 19 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

You can view the full list of nominees below.

Entertainer of the Year

• Morgan Wallen
• Luke Combs
• Lainey Wilson
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton

Album of the Year

• Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
  • Producer: Kristian Bush
  • Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
• Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
  • Producer: Carson Chamberlain
  • Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
• F-1 Trillon – Post Malone
  • Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
  • Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
• I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
  • Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
  • Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
• Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
  • Producer: Jay Joyce
  • Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Zach Top

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Lainey Wilson
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert

Vocal Group of the Year

• Old Dominion
• The Red Clay Strays
• Little Big Town
• Lady A
• Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Brooks & Dunn
• Dan + Shay
• Brothers Osborne
• The War and Treaty
• Maddie & Tae

Single of the Year

• “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
  • Producer: Jay Joyce
  • Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
  • Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
  • Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
• “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
  • Producer: Kristian Bush
  • Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
• “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
  • Producer: Carson Chamberlain
  • Mix Engineer: Mat Rovey
• “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
  • Producer: Will Bundy
  • Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

Song of the Year

• “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
  • Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
• “Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
  • Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
• “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
  • Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
• “Texas” – Blake Shelton
  • Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
• “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
  • Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

New Artist of the Year

• Zach Top
• Ella Langley
• Stephen Wilson Jr.
• Tucker Wetmore
• Shaboozey

Musician of the Year

• Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)
• Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
• Brett Mason (Guitar)
• Rob McNelley (Guitar)
• Derek Wells (Guitar)

Music Video of the Year

• “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
  • Directors: Alexander Gavillet, Megan Moroney
• “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
  • Director: Dustin Haney
• “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
  • Director: TK McKamy
• “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
  • Director: Running Bear
• “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
  • Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

Musical Event of the Year

• “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley
  • Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
• “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/ Jelly Roll
  • Producer: Micha Nichols
• “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/ Carrie Underwood
  • Producer: Trent Willmon
• “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton
  • Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
• “You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
  • Producer: Kristian Bush