WATCH: Emily Ann Roberts Gets Emotional Sharing First ACM Nomination News with Family
“I’m just thankful to be nominated,” Roberts shared.
Photos Courtesy of Emily Ann Roberts
On the morning of Thursday, April 9, Emily Ann Roberts received some very exciting news, she had earned her first-ever ACM Award nomination. The rising country star shared her excitement in an emotional new video capturing the moment she told her loved ones the news.
Roberts is heading into the award show vying for a win in the category of New Female Artist of the Year. As soon as she found out, she had to share the news with some very special people in her life. The new video that has surfaced on Roberts’ Instagram first shows just her and her mom celebrating the news via Facetime.
She slowly built the anticipation as she read off each of this year’s nominees including Avery Anna, MacKenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones, and finally, Emily Ann Roberts. An elated scream instantly erupted through the phone from her mom, matching both hers and her husband Chris Sasser’s excitement over the news. Roberts’ hand flew to her face in an attempt to cover the tears of joy filling up in her eyes.
“I knew it, I knew it…you’re gonna win,” the voice from the phone said, promoting a big laugh out of the songstress. Her mom then told her to “start getting your speech ready.”
The “Easy Does It’ singer humbly stated that she doesn’t think she will take home the win, but she is “thankful to be nominated.”
Slowly, more loved ones began to join the facetime call, prompting more tears and more celebratory reactions.
“That’s crazy” Roberts added with tears streaming down her face as she read off the list of nominees once again.
A male voice from the phone proudly added, “There’s 10 years worth of work, sweet pea.”
The video ended on a lighter note as someone on the other end of the line asked, “Can you send me a screenshot of that.”
Emily Ann Roberts wrote in the caption that she will “remember this morning forever” before then sharing the utmost gratitude towards the ACM Awards for recognizing her this year.
“Thank you Jesus and thank you @acmawards !!! 😭🤍 I’ll see ya in Vegas in May !!!!!!”
Fans can tune into the 61st ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17, 2026 to see which country stars will take home a win in each of the categories. The show is set to stream live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Viewers watching from home can also see all the excitement unfold through the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and through the Amazon Music app.
Performers for the 2026 ACM Awards include Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
This milestone news for Emily Ann Roberts follows the release of her newest track, “Whipped,” which she penned alongside Jeremy Spillman, Trent Willmon, and Ryan Beaver. The playful, lighthearted tune offers a hilarious nod to her husband and all that the has done for her, especially since moving into their first home together.
Additionally, the Tennessee native is set to drop another new song inspired by her love life titled “My Future.” Roberts reveals that the heartfelt story behind the song, which arrives on Friday, April 10, was actually her husband’s idea.
He thought it would be a great song idea after seeing so many comments on social media saying, ‘I think I see my future.’ I started daydreaming about it and fell in the love with the idea of a girl seeing a guy and planning their whole life together in a matter of minutes. A little crazy? Yeah maybe, but when a woman knows what she wants, she knows!”
The creativity began to flow between her and co-writers Shane Minor and Micah Wilshir and before they knew it, they had a new tune that’s “full of personality and exactly what I dreamed it would be.”
Fans can find Roberts serving as support for Cody Johnson and Thomas Rhett on their respective 2026 tours in addition to a few headline dates and festivals. Her time on the road with Johnson will include dates across the U.K. and Ireland.
A full list of Emily Ann Roberts’ upcoming tour dates can be found at EmilyAnnRoberts.com.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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