The 59th CMA Awards nominations just reshaped the Nashville landscape.
For the first time in recent memory, three women—Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson—stand shoulder to shoulder at the top, each scoring six nominations and redefining who drives the conversation in country music.
The Big Three Lead the Pack
While Langley, Moroney, and Wilson share the crown, Zach Top is close behind with five nods. Riley Green and Cody Johnson landed four each, while heavyweights Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Combs earned three nominations apiece.
Ella Langley: Breakthrough Brilliance
Langley’s rocket rise is stamped with nominations across major categories—Single, Song, Video, Female Vocalist, New Artist, and Musical Event of the Year. Her duet with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me,” is proving to be her breakout anthem.
Megan Moroney: “Am I Okay?” Becomes an Industry Anthem
Megan Moroney’s vulnerable, razor-sharp storytelling shone through her album Am I Okay?. The project and its title track earned nods for Single, Album, Song, and Video of the Year, alongside recognition for Female Vocalist and Musical Event. It’s her boldest industry endorsement yet.
Lainey Wilson: The Queen Still Reigns
Already a CMA favorite, Lainey Wilson continues her hot streak. This year, she’s up for Entertainer of the Year—country’s biggest prize—alongside Combs, Stapleton, Wallen, and Johnson. Add to that nominations for Whirlwind, her hit “4x4xU”, and the cinematic video for “Somewhere Over Laredo”, and Wilson proves her reign is far from over.
A Landmark Year for Women in Country
This nomination slate marks a rare—and historic—moment: three solo female artists leading the field. Critics say it’s not just symbolic, it’s structural. As Country Thang Daily put it: “They are not token nominees—they are the heartbeat of the ballot.”
Countdown to Country’s Biggest Night
The CMA Awards air November 19, 2025, live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC (streaming next-day on Hulu). New names like Tucker Wetmore and Jessie Jo Dillon also scored first-time nods, spotlighting a wave of fresh talent shaking up the industry.
Quick Recap: Leaders of the Pack
| Artist | Key Nominations |
|---|---|
| Ella Langley | You Look Like You Love Me (Song & Video), plus New Artist, Female Vocalist, Musical Event |
| Megan Moroney | Am I Okay? in Single, Song, Album, Video; plus Female Vocalist & Musical Event |
| Lainey Wilson | Entertainer of the Year, Album (Whirlwind), “4x4xU”, and “Somewhere Over Laredo” |
