News Room : Best dressed stars at CMA Awards 2025 unveiled as A-listers hit the red carpet

Country music’s brightest stars gathered at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday for the 59th Annual CMA Awards. 

The star-studded event will be hosted by 33-year-old singer Lainey Wilson, who showcased her signature country style in a plunging, bedazzled teal bodysuit as she arrived on the red carpet. 

The Watermelon Moonshine hitmaker’s look featured a long sheer mint cape, which she paired with a matching cowboy hat. 

Meanwhile Megan Moroney, 28, was ever the blonde bombshell in a strapless black gown with crystal embellishments. She accessorized with dramatic black opera gloves.

Country’s hottest couple Billy Ray Cyrus, 64, and Elizabeth Hurley, 60, enjoyed a date night at the event, with the English actress sizzling in a saucy low-cut red dress. 

Moroney and Wilson join Ella Langley as this year’s top nominees, each earning six nods, followed closely by Zach Top with five. 

Riley Green and Cody Johnson are tied for four nominations while Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Kristian Bush, Chris Stapleton and Carson Chamberlain are all up for three nominations.

Wilson was also joined by her hunky fiancé, former NFL player Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges, 29, on the red carpet. 

Meanwhile Moroney posed with country singer and Renée Zellweger’s ex-husband Kenny Chesney, 57, who looked dapper in a black suit. 

Lovebird Hurley and Cyrus made a striking pair as they posed for photographers. 

Hurley wore a stunning red dress with a low neckline and a head-turning thigh high slit. 

Meanwhile Miley Cyrus’ dad opted for an all-black outfit with a matching black cowboy hat. 

You Look Like You Love Me hitmaker Ella Langley, 26, turned heads in a sheer red hot lace gown. 

She also had a blast posing with Little Big Town singer Kimberly Schlapman, 56. 

Schlapman made a fashion statement in a sequin and black lace gown 

Jessica Capshaw, 49, put on a leggy display in a shimmering navy mini dress. 

Also at the event was country darling LeAnn Rimes, 43, who opted for a delicate strapless gown with floral embellishments.

Cowboys Cry Too hitmaker Kelsea Ballerini, 32, rocked a bright red tulle number.

Ballerini’s ex-husband, Morgan Evans, 40, made his red carpet debut with American Idol alum Laci Kaye Booth, 30.

The duo shared an amorous smooch in front of the photographers.

Laci sent temperatures soaring in a sheer purple lace gown with a sizzling thigh high slit. Meanwhile Morgan looked handsome in a black leather jacket paired with a white silk shirt and black pants.

Country superstar Miranda Lambert, 42, skipped the red carpet but was pictured inside with her husband Brendan McLoughlin. She wore a black suit adorned with colorful floral embellishments. 

Country superstar Chris Stapleton, 47, was joined by glamorous wife Morgane, 42.

The Kentucky-born singer rocked his signature shaggy beard and a black suit, along with a brown suede cowboy hat. Morgane wowed in an iridescent plum gown.

Luke Combs, 35, was joined by wife Nicole Hocking, 33. The pair are currently expecting their third child.

While he sported a plum suit she wore a gorgeous gold gown and was pictured holding a tender hand over her growing baby bump.

John Carter Cash, 55, the son of music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, attended the event with his wife, Ana Cristina Cash. 

Redneck Woman star Gretchen Wilson, 52, opted for a chic black jumpsuit. 

R&B superstar Ne-Yo, 46, was one of the presenters at the show, and rocked a Western inspired look for the occasion. 

A Bar Song hitmaker Shaboozey, 30, showed off his original style in a black and white embroidered jacket paired with a white t-shirt and blue jeans. 

Lauren Alaina, 31, donned an elaborate grey halter neck dress with a mosaic pattern. 

Bailey Zimmerman, 25, was casual cool in a brown jacket and matching pants. 

Colbie Caillat, 40, was a vision in a black gown with a fuzzy trim. 

Actor Steve Martin, 80, looked dapper in a navy suit. 

Lauren Daigle, 34, put her toned legs on display in a black mini. The dress featured a unique bunny ear shape. 

Kimberly Perry, 42, wore a striking black and white number. She accessorized with black leather gloves. 

Angelina Jolie’s ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton, 70, looked sharp in a black coat and matching black hat, with a grey head wrap underneath. 

Lara Spencer, 56, dazzled in a shimmering halterneck cream gown. 

NCIS: Los Angeles star Chris O’Donnell, 55, wore a dapper black suit.

Cody Johnson and Zach Top brought their signature country swagger to the event. 

Big Stepper rapper BigXthaPlug, 27, showed off a chunky chain he was rocking as he posed on the red carpet.

Country hunk Riley Green, 37, was handsome as ever in a grey suit paired with a black cowboy hat.

Among other stars on the red carpet was Caylee Hammack, 31, who donned a bright green gown with a sizzling thigh-high leg slit.

Mōriah rocked a cowgirl couture look, pairing a colossal sombrero-style hat with a strapless ballgown constructed from structured panels of cowhide.

Brantley Gilbert was joined by wife Amber Cochran Gilbert. 

Sabina Gadecki-Rich, 42, wowed in a chic black lace floral gown with white floral motifs.

Ben Johnson drew eyes in a standout denim ensemble crafted with multi-toned panels.

Internet personality Fisher Perry was joined by girlfriend Lanie Gardner. 

Wilson collected three of the night’s biggest honors – Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year for Whirlwind; and Female Vocalist of the Year at the show.

Langley and Green were the first winners announced for Single of the Year for the track, ‘you look like you love me.’

Brooks & Dunn was named Vocal Duo of the Year, marking their 16th win in the category.

Zach Top was named New Artist of the Year.

The Red Clay Strays won the honors for Vocal Group of the Year, which marked their first time achieving the feat.

Audiences were also treated to an array of musical performances by Patty Loveless, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, and Brandi Carlile.

Vince Gill was the recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

‘Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,’ CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern said in a press release. ‘He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe.

‘As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner, and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.’

Ahead of the show, several early winners were announced – Post Malone and Blake Shelton for Pour Me a Drink, and Ella Langley and Riley Green for CMA Music Video of the Year.

Wilson told Good Morning America that it feels ‘pretty dang special’ to be nominated for six awards.

But she already feels ‘like a winner’ as the host.

‘I feel like even if we don’t take home some hardware, I feel like we’re feeling like a winner just because I mean hosting this thing is, that is huge in itself,’ Wilson said.

‘It is really huge to think that they trust me enough to stand on this stage and sing people’s praises and celebrate country music.’

Wilson also became the first woman to won Entertainer of the Year in over a decade.

She received the honor in 2023, coming after Taylor Swift, who was awarded the trophy 2009 and 2011.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Wilson said she and her female musical peers ‘have no choice’ but to continue making strides in this sphere.

‘I’ve known since I moved to Nashville in 2011 that there are going to be some barn doors that I was going to have to just go kick down myself, that nobody was going to do it,’ she said.

‘It was truly a bitter pill that I swallowed a long time ago. So, in the times when I felt like maybe it’s a little bit harder just because I’m a girl, that’s when I dug in deeper and worked harder, and the only reason I’m even here in this position is because of what the women before me have done. ‘