1 of 5 | (L-R) Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley present the award for the Single of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me” to Ella Langley and Riley Green onstage during the 59th CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Ella Langley and Riley Green nabbed two of the first awards of the night Wednesday at the Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The pair won Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me.”
“I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because fans keep on listening to it,” Langley said in her acceptance speech.
“Thanks for letting me be a part of this song,” Green, who is featured on the track, said to Langley. “Thanks for making it a hit,” he added to the fans.
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Langley was tied for the most number of nominations Wednesday night with six, including Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me;” Musical Event of the Year as a featured singer on Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do;” and Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.
Singer Lainey Wilson is hosting the CMAs for her second year in a row, though Wednesday marked her first time as a solo host. She sang a medley of recent country hits, including “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town and “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton.
Later in the night, Stapleton sang “Bad As I Used To Be.” He was nominated for Music Video of the Year for “Think I’m in Love with You,” Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Wilson was one of the three artists who tied for most nominations for the night. She was nominated for Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year for Whirlwind; Female Vocalist of the Year; Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “4x4xU”; and Music Video of the Year for “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Megan Moroney put on a pink and sparkly heart-filled performance of “6 Months Later.” She was the third female singer with six nominations — Album of the Year for Am I Okay?; Female Vocalist of the Year; Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Am I Okay?”; and Musical Event of the Year for “You Had To Be There” with Kenny Chesney.
The second award of the night went to another pair of singers — Brooks & Dunn. The two picked up their 16th CMA award for Vocal Duo of the Year.
“I heard earlier tonight, ‘Do y’all ever get sick of this?’ Hell no, this is all good,” Kix Brooks said while accepting the award.
Three-time nominee Luke Combs opened the awards ceremony with a performance of “Back in the Saddle.” He is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma.”
Zach Top won his first CMA award — New Artist of the Year — after performing his hit “Guitar.” He was also nominated for Album of the Year for Cold Beer & Country Music, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “I Never Lie.”
Kelsea Ballerini, nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year, took to the playground, swinging in the rain as she sang “I Sit in Parks.”
The Red Clay Strays, nominee for Vocal Group of the Year, performed “People Hatin'” while New Artist of the Year nominee Stephen Wilson Jr. sang his cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”
Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson arrive at 2025 CMA Awards
Host Lainey Wilson arrives on the red carpet for the 59th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 19, 2025. Wilson is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
