Lainey Wilson Says She Asked Reba McEntire for ‘1 Piece of Advice’ Before Hosting 2025 CMA Awards: ‘She Sent Me a List’
Wilson will host the 59th Annual CMA Awards live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19
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Lainey Wilson in November 2025; Reba McEntire in November 2025.Credit :
Jason Kempin/Getty; Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty
Lainey Wilson got more advice than she expected from Reba McEntire.
Ahead of the “4x4xU” singer’s solo hosting gig at the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, she reached out to McEntire — who’s emceed the show five times in the past — for “one piece of advice.”
“I’m just proud, and I feel just so much joy. I mean, it’s a big deal. It’s some big ol’ shoes to fill,” said Wilson, 33, of her role as host during a press conference for the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16. “I don’t take it lightly.”
The country star, who previously cohosted the show with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning in 2024, then dished, “I texted Reba last night, and I said, ‘If you had one piece of advice to give me going into this week, what would it be?’”
Wilson thought McEntire, 70, would encourage her to “just be yourself and have fun.”
“She sent me a list,” said the “Heart Like a Truck” singer with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. One piece of advice!’”
Ultimately, Wilson expressed feeling “honored” to take on the role of CMA Awards host.
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Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson in Los Angeles in December 2024.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
In addition to presenting the show, Wilson is one of the night’s top nominees with nods in six categories — including Entertainer of the Year, which she previously won in 2023. She’ll also perform at the ceremony.
“I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor,” said the Grammy winner in a statement.
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Lainey Wilson.CMA/ABC
Wilson added, “I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.”
The 59th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.
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