Lainey Wilson Delivers Show-Stopping iHeartRadio Performance, Honors Miley Cyrus In Full-Circle Moment

Lainey Wilson turned heads at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday with a show-stopping, multi-song performance that had the crowd on its feet.

The performance opened in black and white as Wilson delivered the chilling first verse of her hit “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” As the intensity built, the audience began clapping along while images of flowers and horses filled the massive screens behind her. After a goosebump-inducing high note, the song seamlessly transitioned into “Hang Tight Honey.”

Making her way toward the camera, Wilson declared viewers the “Cowgirl of the Night” (a moment fans know well from her live shows) before placing her hat over the lens. In an instant, the performance burst into vibrant color.

Wilson continued with the remainder of “Hang Tight Honey” before launching into “Heart Like A Truck,” this time without her signature hat. Commanding the stage, she covered every inch with confidence, dancing, shaking her hips, and interacting with fans throughout the set.

Following the performance, Wilson presented Miley Cyrus with the coveted iHeartRadio Innovator Award. The moment served as a full-circle milestone for Wilson, who once spent years performing as a Hannah Montana impersonator while working to launch her own career.

“Now I want to talk about one of my biggest inspirations, Miley…Miley Cyrus,” Wilson began. “Miley Cyrus is what happens when fearlessness meets evolution. She didn’t just grow up in front of the world. She redefined herself in front of it over and over and then over again from breaking out of a box. From breaking out of a box that people tried to put her in, to pushing boundaries in sound and style, in storytelling.” 

Wilson went on to praise Cyrus for never compromising who she is and applauded her for leading the charge for other female artists. 

“She has never asked for permission and that is what makes her the innovator that she is. She keeps taking risks that most artists would not dare to take and turns them into moments that move culture forward. And whether it’s a stripped down ballad that cuts you to the core or a bold reinvention that gets people to talking, Miley reminds us that artistry is not about staying comfortable. It is about staying honest. And that kind of truth, it don’t just change music or the game. It changes people and that right there is what you call innovation folks and that is Miley Cyrus.” 

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards aired live on FOX from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, 2026.