Mandy
The 2025 CMA Awards delivered a mix of memorable performances, emotional speeches, red-carpet romance, and a few lighthearted mishaps.
Hosted solo for the first time by Lainey Wilson, the awards night aired on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and celebrated the brightest stars in country music. From passionate PDA to unforgettable performances, here’s a complete roundup of the standout moments that had everyone talking.
Star-Studded Red Carpet Filled With PDA
Love was the theme on the red carpet as multiple country couples shared affectionate moments in front of the cameras.
- Lainey Wilson planted a kiss on her fiancé Devlin Hodges.
- Lauren Alaina shared a sweet smooch with her husband Cam Arnold.
- Zach Top playfully shielded his kiss with girlfriend Amelia Taylor.
It was clear that country music stars came ready to show the love.
Lainey Wilson Shines As Solo Host
Taking on hosting duties alone for the first time, Elvie Wilson leaned into her strengths — music and performance. Throughout the night, she delivered tributes to both modern hits and country classics, featuring songs like:
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey
- “Need You Now” by Lady A
She kept the energy high on stage, dancing alongside performers like Gretchen Wilson and Ella Langley, and wrapped up her hosting run with a powerful duet with Keith Urban.
Oops Moment: Zach Top Takes The Stage with A Beer
Accepting the award for New Artist of the Year, Zach Top walked onstage with his beer still in hand. Unsure whether he should put it down, the 28-year-old simply owned the moment — trophy in one hand, beer in the other — before giving a heartfelt speech and taking a swig mid-acceptance.
Worst Night For Goatees
Attendees who put extra effort into styling their goatees may have felt overshadowed — many of the night’s biggest names were showcasing bold, standout mustaches, making facial hair the unexpected highlight of the red carpet.
Kelsea Ballerini Turns Heads In Fiery Red
With conversations swirling around her personal life — from her ex-husband’s new date to online chatter about her current relationship — Kelsea Ballerini showed that looking incredible is the best comeback. She appeared in three stunning scarlet outfits, each more eye-catching than the last.
Kenny Chesney Delivers Pure Nostalgia
Kenny Chesney treated fans to a nostalgic medley of two of his beloved hits:
- “American Kids” (2014)
- “When the Sun Goes Down” (2004)
Judging from the enthusiastic crowd reaction, Chesney continues to perform with the energy of someone stepping on the CMA stage for the first time.
Steve Martin Makes A Surprise Appearance
Not everyone expected Steve Martin to be at the CMA Awards. The comedian appeared — jokingly nervous — alongside Alison Brown to promote their new album, Safe, Sensible and Sane. The audience surely wouldn’t have minded if he stayed and read off stock ticker updates all night.
Riley Green Heats Up The Stage
Riley Green’s performance of “Worst Way” sparked excitement across Slack channels at PEOPLE and beyond. After being voted Sexiest Country Star, his commanding stage presence had fans debating who gets dibs on him first.
Nashville P.D. Pitch: Billy Bob Thornton & Lainey Wilson
One memorable photo of Billy Bob Thornton and Lainey Wilson looked like a scene straight out of a sharp-tongued cop drama. Fans agreed: someone needs to greenlight Nashville P.D. immediately.
Matching Outfits Everywhere!
Several stars ended up with surprisingly similar outfit choices.
- Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert both wore brown suits paired with embellished cowboy hats during “A Song to Sing.”
- Leanne Morgan even asked, “Is it too much?” after realizing her style nearly mirrored Lainey Wilson’s.
Best New Look: Lil Wayne Goes Country
Fans were delighted to see Lil Wayne rocking a cowboy hat, marking one of the most unexpected and well-received style moments of the night.
Best Country Couple: Vince Gill & Amy Grant
Vince Gill received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, but his biggest win was having his wife of over 25 years, Amy Grant, cheering from the audience. Gill closed his speech with a touching tribute, calling her “the kindest soul I’ve ever known.”
The 2025 CMA Awards offered an unforgettable mix of heartfelt moments, viral mishaps, big wins, and fashionable red-carpet appearances.
Whether it was Lainey Wilson’s dynamic hosting, Zach Top’s beer-in-hand acceptance, or the endless on-screen chemistry between country music couples, the night proved why the CMAs continue to be one of the most beloved celebrations of the genre.