Inside the CMA Awards: Candid Moments You Didn’t See on TV
This year’s CMA Awards was one to remember!
Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson attend the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA
The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered a show packed with unforgettable moments, from show-stopping performances and standout collaborations to emotional wins and dazzling red carpet appearances. Viewers at home saw Lainey Wilson make history as she claimed Entertainer of the Year, Zach Top earn his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, and Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson rise as the evening’s big winners with three trophies each. Brooks & Dunn also cemented their legacy, becoming the most-awarded CMA act in history with a record 20 wins. Plus, Cody Johnson took home his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.
But what fans didn’t see were the candid happenings behind the scenes, the backstage celebrations, unexpected reunions, mid-show interactions, and fly-on-the-wall moments that only those inside the Bridgestone Arena experienced.
This gallery offers a look at everything the broadcast didn’t show, capturing the backstage energy and excitement that made this year’s CMA Awards one to remember!
Riley Green and Shaboozey
Riley Green and Shaboozey found a moment to pose for a photo in the middle of the backstage hustle at Bridgestone Arena.
Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin
Miranda Lambert and her husband Brendan McLoughlin enjoyed a CMA date night, skipping the red carpet but posing together once inside the show.
Megan Moroney
One of the night’s top nominees, Megan Moroney turned heads backstage in her brightly colored performance look.
Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard shared a CMA Awards moment years after their Florida Georgia Line run, where they dominated Vocal Duo of the Year from 2013 to 2015.
Leanne Morgan and Bert Kreischer
Comedians Leanne Morgan and Bert Kreischer brought the laughs to the CMA Awards stage and posed together backstage for a fun moment.
Tucker Wetmore
CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Tucker Wetmore squeezed in an impromptu backstage photoshoot. During the show, he took the stage to perform his chart-topping hit, “Wind Up Missin’ You.”
Lainey Wilson
After pulling off her first CMA Awards solo hosting gig, Lainey Wilson celebrated her three big wins backstage, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for Whirlwind.
Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug
The duo behind “All the Way,” Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug, were all smiles as they posed together in the audience at the CMA Awards.
Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini
Longtime friends and former tourmates Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini shared a backstage moment together before her performance of “I Sit in Parks” at the CMA Awards.
Zach Top and Devlin “Duck” Hodges
Zach Top kept Devlin “Duck” Hodges company while his fiancée, Lainey Wilson, took the stage as host.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini quickly changed outfits backstage after being rained on during her “I Sit In Parks” performance.
Cody Johnson and Vince Gill
Cody Johnson and Vince Gill shared a laugh together in the crowd.
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00–11:00 PM ET) on ABC.The show will be available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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