ACM Awards 2025: Will Lainey Wilson Win Female Artist of the Year for a Third Time?

Lainey Wilson’s passion for country music caused her to say goodbye to her hometown of Baskin, Louisiana, and pursue a country music career in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2011.

After several years of struggles, the move paid off, as Wilson landed a record deal and released her first studio album, Tougher, which entered the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2016.

However, her big break didn’t arrive until the release of her hit song “Things a Man Oughta Know,” which reached number one on Billboard Country Airplay.

Since then, there has been no stopping Wilson, as she’s won a Grammy Award and six CMA awards, including Female Artist of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

Thanks to the recent success of her album Whirlwind, many fans believe she could secure Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards for a third time. Continue reading to learn more.

BEO’s betting odds are starting to show a likelihood of Lainey Wilson winning Female Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2025 ::: Discover the latest Bet Entertainment Odds predictions for this market.

Lainey Wilson is Predicted to Win

BEO betting odds show Lainey Wilson has a 73.31% chance of winning Female Artist of the Year at the 60^th ACM Awards.

If the “Hang Tight Honey” singer lands the award for her third consecutive year, she’ll follow in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, and Faith Hill.

The 25-year-old singer is a frontrunner in the category due to another fantastic year in country music.

For instance, her album Whirlwind peaked at number one on Billboard’s US Independent Albums chart and number three on the US Top Country Albums chart.

Also, it received much critical acclaim from music critics and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2025.

Her song “4X4XU” reached number four on US Country Airplay and number one on Billboard’s Canada Country chart, too.

Kelsea Ballerini Could Stand in Her Way

While Lainey Wilson has spent the last two years winning the award, Kelsea Ballerini has experienced two years of gracious defeat.

Also, she received nominations in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021, only to return home empty-handed.

2025 will mark her third consecutive nomination in the category, and she will likely want to return home with the sought-after signature hat.

The good news is she’s firmly in the running for the accolade, as her album Patterns peaked at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and Independent Albums chart. Not to mention, it reached number four on the US Billboard 200.

Related

Academy of Country Music 2025: Who Will Win Single of the Year?

Also, she made her debut as a coach on The Voice in 2025, helping to expand her fanbase even further. For the above reasons, it might be Ballerini’s turn to get her hands on the prestigious award after many years of waiting.

Another Nominee Could Surprise Country Music Fans

While Lainey Wilson is a strong candidate for Female Artist of the Year, and Kelsea Ballerini is close behind, you cannot rule out the other nominees in the category.

After all, second-time nominee Megan Moroney’s second album Am I Okay? reached number three on the US Top Country Albums chart.

Also, Ella Langley is a rising star in country music who has earned the most nominations at the award show this year with eight. Also, her song “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green reached number one on US Country Airplay.

Kacey Musgraves will want to repeat her success from 2019 by taking home Female Artist of the Year. As her album hit the top spot of the Top Country Albums chart and number two on the US Billboard 200, she’s a dark horse that shouldn’t be underestimated in the category.

If you believe Kacey Musgraves will win Female Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2025, you could win $1400 by betting $100 if it happens.