2025 ACM Nominations: Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and More

The 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards nominations have been revealed, marking a major moment in the country music industry. The nominations are led by newcomer Ella Langley, who stands out with an impressive nine nominations. This achievement places Langley at the forefront of the awards, thus emphasizing her significant rise in the country music scene over the past year. Her nominations span major categories such as Female Artist of the Year, where she competes against notable figures like Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson. Additionally, Langley is nominated for New Female Artist of the Year, showcasing her breakout success and solidifying her status as a promising new artist in country music.

Notably, Langley’s song with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” has been particularly acknowledged, clinching six nominations alone. This includes nods for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Event of the Year, underlining the widespread acclaim that the track has received across the country music industry. The song’s success is further reflected in its nominations for Visual Media of the Year, where Langley also serves as co-director, demonstrating her multifaceted talent in both performing and visual storytelling.

Following closely behind Langley in terms of nominations are established country artists Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, and Lainey Wilson, each securing seven nominations. Their prominent presence in the nominations list underscores their continued influence and popularity within the country music landscape. Wallen's year has been particularly noteworthy, with his collaboration with Post Malone on “I Had Some Help” gaining significant recognition. The track is nominated for Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year, highlighting Wallen’s dynamic ability to blend genres and appeal to a broad audience.

In terms of awards expectations, the Entertainer of the Year category is as competitive as ever, featuring names like Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs. Combs, a perennial nominee, is aiming to clinch this coveted title which has eluded him in past years. If successful, it would earn him the ACM’s Triple Crown Award, an honor bestowed upon artists who have won new artist and artist categories alongside Entertainer of the Year. This achievement would place Combs in the company of industry luminaries like Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood.

The ACM Awards are set to be hosted by country legend Reba McEntire at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and will stream live exclusively on Prime Video. The show aims to celebrate sixty years of country music and promises exciting performances from Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Lainey Wilson among others. This year’s awards ceremony promises to be one of the most memorable yet, offering a blend of celebrating new talent and honoring the gifts of established country stars.

As the country music community eagerly anticipates the awards, the list of nominations reflects not only achievements in musical artistry but also the evolving landscape of the genre. Ella Langley’s dominant presence with nine nominations epitomizes a new wave of country artists who bring a unique and innovative perspective to the genre while maintaining the rich tradition and history of country music.