Gabby Barrett Wins Top Country Female Artist at BBMAs: ‘This Has Changed My Life Forever’

Gabby Barrett couldn’t hold back her tears when she was named Top Country Female Artist at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (May 23). 

Barrett accepted the honor from the stage of the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“Thank you so much! Oh my God, I’m going to try to keep it together as best as I can. Oh my gosh, this is a really big deal,” Barrett shared as her husband, Cade Foehner, and members of her family watched on. “Thank you y’all so much. This means so much to me, Thank you so much to my team. I’ve been performing for 10 years really hard. My dad and my sister are here and we worked so hard to get here. Thank you so much to everybody.”

Barrett went on to thank those who mean the most to her for being by her side along the way.

“Thank you to the Lord Jesus above. Thank you Lord for everything, my husband, my sweet daughter who is back at home watching. Thank you to my dad and my sister. Everyone that supported me coming up, my label, my team Tom and Brooke you guys are the best. WME and the music industry, seriously thank you guys so much.”

she’s one of the good ones and she’s winning her third #BBMAs tonight for Top Country Female Artist! congrats @GabbyBarrett_ !! pic.twitter.com/yaLu4w6JS1

— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 24, 2021

The “I Hope” singer closed her acceptance speech telling fans, “You make dreams come true. This has changed my life forever.” 

The rising superstar was nominated alongside Carrie Underwood and Maren Morris in the Top Country Female Category. Prior to the show, Barrett was named the winner of Top Country Song for “I Hope” and Top Collaboration for “I Hope” featuring Charlie Puth. 

Barrett earned a total of nine BBMA nominations. 

Hosted by Nick Jonas, the 2021 BBMAs aired live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.