Lainey Wilson to lead the 2025 CMA awards with star-studded opening

Country star Lainey Wilson is set to host the 2025 CMA Awards solo on November 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, making her the first woman to do so since Reba McEntire in 1991.

In a promotional clip, the singer teased what viewers can expect, promising “everyone’s favorite country stars, an unforgettable opening and… the CMA Awards.”

Wearing a light blue, rhinestone-embellished pantsuit and her signature cowboy hat, Wilson looked around the empty stage before declaring, “Looks like I’m running the show.”

After a brief wardrobe mishap involving a purple ballgown as she snapped her fingers and appeared in a hot pink bell-bottom pantsuit, joking, “There’s some bell in them bottoms.”

The Heart Like A Truck singer concluded, “And they say magic isn’t real,” hinting at more surprises to come.

Wilson co-hosted last year with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning but her solo outing is historic.

She told Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, “I looked it up, too, and that’s what I found. And I was like, ‘There’s no way.’ That’s crazy to think about. It’s been a long time since a woman has done it and I’m glad they trust me. I like to run my mouth, and I love country music, so I guess we’re just — it’s gonna be fun. I really do think that.”

The 33-year-old also teased her fellow stars, saying, “If I can poke fun at people, hey, we good… Let me make fun of Luke Combs, please.”

Wilson is nominated alongside Ella Langley and Megan Moroney for the most nominations this year with six nods including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

The 59th CMA Awards air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET with next day streaming on Hulu.