Lainey Wilson was the star of the night in Nashville as she hosted, performed and won big at the 59th CMA Awards. She won the top honor of the evening: Entertainer of the Year, against fellow nominees Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen.
She also took Album of the Year with Whirlwind, her second win in that category, and Female Vocalist of the Year for a fourth consecutive time.
In her speech, Wilson thanked her team, her family and fans, and had a blunt message for critics. “For the folks in your mama’s basement trying to pit women against each other, y’all need to find something better to do.” The night was full of high-powered performances, including Wilson’s fiery rendition of “Ring Finger,” and underlined her growing status as a powerhouse in country music.
