Lainey Wilson Wants to Roast Her Friends — Including Luke Combs — When She Hosts the 2025 CMA Awards

The CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC

Lainey Wilson already has plans for her upcoming gig as CMA Awards host.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer, 33, made an appearance on Rolling Stone‘s Nashville Now podcast and opened up about becoming the first woman to host the awards show solo since Reba McEntire in 1991.

“I looked it up too and I was like, there’s no way. I let Reba know I was doing this and she was so excited,” Wilson, 33, said. “It’s been a long time since a woman has done it solo. I’m glad they trust me. I like to run my mouth and I love country music.”

Only weeks away from the show, the “Hang Tight Honey” singer will head into rehearsals soon — and her one request is that her jokes won’t be restricted.

Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs in Los Angeles in October 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

“If I can poke fun at people, hey, we good,” she said. “I tried to get them to let me do it last year and they were like, ‘whoa, whoa, whoa… that’s too far.’ But I go way back with these people. Let me make fun of Luke Combs, please.”

Last year, Wilson co-hosted the show with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The year prior, the “Crash My Party” singer and the retired NFL star did it as a duo. When asked how CMA producer Robert Deaton broke the news that it would be just her this time — she had no idea.

“I have no clue, but I guess Luke ain’t mad at me ’cause I’ve talked to him since,” she said.

“Honestly, he was probably happy to have a year off. And Peyton too, because they’ve been doing that for a while now…. Those guys are such genuine people that I think they’re happy for me. I really do,” she said.

On Sept. 30, the Country Music Association announced that she would be taking on the role again — solo.

Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson in Nashville in November 2024.Frank Micelotta/Disney

“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,” Wilson said.

The “Out of Oklahoma” singer 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.”

Wilson — who released her latest album Whirlwind in 2024, along with a deluxe version this past August — is tied with Ella Langley and Megan Moroney for most nods at the awards show, as they each received six.

The 59th Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC, and will stream the following day on Hulu.