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Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty (2); Jason Kempin/Getty The Academy of Country Music Awards were a Whirlwind for Lainey Wilson, who won not only Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year, but also Artist-Songwriter of the Year. The event, held Thursday at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, and hosted by country great Reba McEntire, also featured big wins by Chris Stapleton, who was named Male Artist of the Year, and Ella Langley, who had eight nominations, the most of any artist, going into the night. Langley walked away with the title of New Female Artist of the Year, as well as trophies in three more categories. In between the presentations, performances included Rascal Flatts, with an assist from Backstreet Boys, on the country group's song "What Hurts the Most." The tune is featured on the country trio's album Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, which will be released June 6.
Jason Kempin/Getty Cody Johnson also performed with Brooks and Dunn, Jelly Roll took the stage with Shaboozey, and Alan Jackson crooned an emotional version of his 2003 classic "Remember When" before scooping up the Lifetime Achievement Award. McEntire took the mic to sing, too, alongside Wilson and Miranda Lambert, as they sang their new song "Trailblazer." A special Triple Crown award went to Keith Urban, putting him in the elite group of artists who've not only snagged the ACM awards for New Artist of the Year, Male or Female Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year, but also have been deemed worthy. Urban thanked wife Nicole Kidman in his acceptance speech. "I love you, baby girl," he said, referencing Kidman's 2024 film Babygirl. Country legend Alan Jackson was awarded a new award named after him, the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Here are the winners of the 2025 ACM Awards: Kelsea Ballerini Kelsea Ballerini Luke Combs
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WINNER: Brooks & Dunn Flatland Cavalry
"A Bar Song (Tipsy)," Shaboozey "4x4xU," Lainey Wilson Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. "Cowboys Cry Too," Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan Jessi Alexander Luke Combs "4x4xU," Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jennifer Ansell; Director: Dano Cerny "Dirt Cheap," Cody Johnson; Producer: Dustin Haney; Director: Dustin Haney "I’m Gonna Love You," Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood; Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry; Director: Dustin Haney "Think I’m In Love With You," Chris Stapleton; Producers: Wes Edwards, Angie Lorenz, Jamie Stratakis; Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone) WINNER: "You Look Like You Love Me," Ella Langley, Riley Green; Producer: Alex Pescosta; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney Kassi Ashton Gavin Adcock Restless Road |
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