2025 ACM Awards: Check Out the Complete Summary

The 2025 ACM Awards showcased standout performances and celebrated numerous artists. Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, and Riley Green were among the notable winners. Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys thrilled the audience with a joint performance, while Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert debuted their collaboration “Trailblazer.” Alan Jackson received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Jelly Roll shared backstage moments with ERNEST, and Miranda Lambert performed a high-energy rendition of “Kerosene” with Ella Langley. The red carpet featured stars like Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, and Jessie Murph, who brought a pig as her date.

PEOPLE Presents the Full List of 2025 ACM Awards Winners

13 hr 31 min ago

Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Ella Langley photographed in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty(2); Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty


The 2025 ACM Awards have concluded, and the stars are either heading home or off to afterparties.

PEOPLE has curated the complete list of award winners — featuring artists such as Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Riley Green, and many more in our detailed roundup.

Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys Unite for a Multi-Genre Supergroup

13 hr 38 min ago

Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys captured in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty 


The 2025 ACM Awards concluded with an electrifying joint performance from Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys.

The two groups shared the stage, starting with Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most,” followed by the country band performing “I Dare You” solo.

The Backstreet Boys then showcased a spirited rendition of their classic “Larger Than Life,” with Rascal Flatts joining for a finale performance of “Life Is a Highway.”

Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert Introduce Their New Song ‘Trailblazer’

13 hr 51 min ago

Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, and Miranda Lambert in May 2025.

Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty


Near the conclusion of the show, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert performed their new track, “Trailblazer,” with lyrics that resonate with the journey of women in country music.

“Talking about a trailblazer / Cutting one path at a time / Running like a dream chaser / Living on a prayer and a rhyme / You put a flag in the ground to a country sound to the rhythm of your own highway / Talk about a trailblazer / I’m rolling down the road you paved,” they harmonized in the chorus.

Jelly Roll and ERNEST Enjoy a Backstage Moment

14 hr 41 min ago

Jelly Roll and ERNEST in May 2025.

John Shearer/Getty; Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty


Jelly Roll is sharing live updates from the 2025 ACM Awards, disclosing his fun backstage experience with ERNEST.

“Back here enjoying a joint with Ernest in case y’all don’t see us on TV,” the “Need a Favor” artist posted on X. “We’re about to perform really soon.”

Earlier in the evening, Jelly — who has been seen dancing on camera — remarked, “I’m having a blast—can y’all tell?”

Alan Jackson Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award Named in His Honor

14 hr 50 min ago

Alan Jackson in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty


Alan Jackson was awarded the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, a new honor introduced by the Academy of Country Music.

“He has won 21 Academy of Country Music Awards, but tonight he is being celebrated with the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, a distinguished honor given in his name,” stated host Reba McEntire, as Jackson performed his well-known track “Remember When.”

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Jackson expressed upon accepting the award. “Some time back, a fan named their dog after me, and I thought that was something, but this is genuinely remarkable.”

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo Fan Over Alan Jackson

15 hr 16 min ago

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo in May 2025; Alan Jackson in October 2022.

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Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo are thoroughly enjoying their time at the 2025 ACM Awards.

During the show, the “Save Me” singer took to X to share that he was sitting next to a country legend. “We are sitting alongside Alan Jackson—I’m about to freak out… my wife and I are absolute fan girls,” he exclaimed.

Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley Deliver a Powerful Performance of ‘Kerosene’

15 hr 51 min ago

Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty


Miranda Lambert, the most awarded artist in ACM history, launched her performance with “Run” from her latest album, Postcards from Texas.

She was later joined by Ella Langley to deliver a high-energy rendition of Lambert’s breakout anthem, “Kerosene,” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the album by the same name.

Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Other Stars Kick Off the Show with a Medley of Country Classics

16 hr 13 min ago

Reba McEntire in May 2025; LeAnn Rimes in May 2025.

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty (2)


To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards, the show commenced with a performance of country classics from past ceremonies.

Oklahoma’s own Reba McEntire declared her pride in performing Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee,” while Clint Black followed up with a rendition of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

Wynonna Judd presented a solo rendition of “Why Not Me” by the Judds, LeAnn Rimes performed “Blue,” Little Big Town delivered their hit “Girl Crush,” and Dan + Shay finished with their song “Tequila.”

PEOPLE Showcases the 2025 ACM Awards Red Carpet Arrivals You Can’t Miss

16 hr 43 min ago

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in May 2025.

Omar Vega/WireImage


The 2025 ACM Awards are just about to kick off, but many stars have already graced the red carpet.

Couples like Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo, alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes showcased their date night looks, while stars such as Shaboozey, Little Big Town, and Lainey Wilson displayed their individual styles.

Explore all the red carpet arrival photos here.

Gabby Barrett Stands Out on the Carpet as Husband Cade Foehner Prepares for Graduation

16 hr 49 min ago

Gabby Barrett in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty


Gabby Barrett graced the red carpet at the 2025 ACM Awards alone and explained to PEOPLE her husband’s absence.

“My husband isn’t here tonight, which is disappointing, but he’s currently in California for his graduation ceremony tomorrow, so I need to fly out right after this,” she stated.

Barrett is scheduled to present at the ceremony.

Cody Johnson Announces That He and Wife Brandi Are Expecting a Baby

17 hours ago

Cody Johnson and Brandi Johnson in May 2025.

Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty


Cody Johnson walked the red carpet with his wife Brandi and shared the exciting news of her pregnancy!

“We’re having a son, and we’ve chosen this moment to announce it to the world and reveal the gender,” the Entertainer of the Year nominee, who shares two daughters, Clara Mae and Cori, with Brandi, shared with PEOPLE.

He added, “I look forward to watching my daughters help raise this little boy, and I’m in a much better place now career-wise and financially than when we had them.”

Jessie Murph Arrives with a Pig as Her Date

17 hr 20 min ago

Jessie Murph and her pig Wilbur in May 2025.

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Jessie Murph made a memorable entrance on the red carpet with an unexpected companion: a pig! The artist sported her iconic voluminous hair paired with a pink halter top and coordinating flared pants while cradling the animal.

“This is Wilbur. He’s about a year old, I believe,” she shared with PEOPLE while on the red carpet. “I needed a date, and since I’ve always wanted a miniature pig, this felt like the perfect occasion, especially in Texas!”

Host Reba McEntire Stuns on the Carpet with Boyfriend Rex Linn

17 hr 20 min ago

Rex Linn and Reba McEntire in May 2025.

Jason Kempin/Getty


Host Reba McEntire hit the red carpet early alongside her boyfriend Rex Linn. The country star dazzled in a sparkling black suit complete with matching boots, while Linn donned a black jacket, shirt, blue tie, and dark jeans.

Prior to the show, McEntire shared with PEOPLE, “I’ve got my entire team with me—my glam squad, management, and Rex is always with me. I’m ready to enjoy the night. It’s great to reconnect with old friends and meet the new generation joining us. It’s going to be an exciting evening.”

Ella Langley Tops Nominations, Followed by Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Other Stars

17 hr 20 min ago

Ella Langley in May 2025.

Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty


The nominations for the 2025 ACM Awards were led by Ella Langley, the artist behind “Weren’t for the Wind,” who secured a total of eight nominations.

Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson followed with seven nominations each, while Chris Stapleton earned six, and both Riley Green and Post Malone garnered five.

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