Thomas Rhett teases surprise collaboration with Niall Horan at ACM awards

Thomas Rhett stunned fans at the 2026 ACM Awards after revealing an unexpected collaboration with former One Direction member Niall Horan during a red carpet interview in Las Vegas.

The 36-year-old country star made the surprise announcement ahead of his upcoming The Soundtrack to Life tour, confirming that Horan will be joining him for select shows later this year.

Speaking during interviews at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, Rhett shared that the connection between the two artists came through his music producer, leading to what he described as an organic creative partnership.

Fans were also surprised to learn just how much of a One Direction fan Rhett is, with the singer admitting he has long admired the global boy band.

The unexpected crossover has quickly become one of the most talked-about moments from the ACM Awards weekend.

Rhett also teased the collaboration further in a separate interview with Billboard, hinting that more joint performances could be on the way.

While details remain limited, the pairing marks a notable crossover between country and pop music audiences.

The ACM Awards, held on May 17, 2026, brought together some of the biggest names in country music, with Ella Langley emerging as the night’s biggest winner.

Her hit “Choosin’ Texas” earned both Song of the Year and Single of the Year, while she also picked up Female Artist of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.

As for Horan, the former One Direction star continues to balance solo projects and touring commitments, with scheduling reportedly influencing his availability for major personal events, including speculation about upcoming bandmate gatherings.

The collaboration between Rhett and Horan is expected to roll out later this year as part of Rhett’s tour, adding one of the most unexpected musical pairings of 2026 to the lineup.