2025 CMA Awards: 10 Best, Worst, and Most WTF Moments

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 19: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Lainey Wilson performs onstage during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)

The 59th CMA Awards felt shiny and new on Wednesday night. Credit that to an influx of exciting fresh faces like Ella Langley, Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr., and the Red Clay Strays, and a new host in Lainey Wilson, who injected some much needed personality and vitality to a show about to mark its 60th year. Still, there are bound to be some stale moments, or ones that leave us shaking our heads. Here’s our list of the best, worst, and most WTF things we saw at the 2025 CMAs.