Lainey Wilson Reveals Her CMA Entertainer Of The Year Pick

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The 2024 CMA Awards nominations are out, and the competition is fiercer than ever.

Morgan Wallen leads the pack with seven nods, followed closely by Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson with five each. Nominees for the 2024 CMA Awards were announced in early September.

Who Is Up For Entertainer Of The Year?

Among the night’s most coveted awards, the Entertainer of the Year category boasts an impressive lineup:

Lainey Wilson (reigning champion)
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Jelly Roll

Notably absent is country powerhouse Carrie Underwood, marking a significant shift in the nomination landscape.

 

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RELATED: Snubs & Surprises From The 2024 CMA Award Nominations

Lainey Wilson On Proving Her Worth

Despite being the current titleholder, Lainey Wilson, who recently opened a bar in Nashville, isn’t resting on her achievements. In a candid interview with Taste of Country Nights host Evan Paul, she shared:

“I’ve worked my butt off this year to prove to the folks that thought I didn’t deserve Entertainer of the Year, to show them why the people in this town chose me.”

When pressed about who she thinks should win in 2024, Wilson’s response was unexpected:

“I mean, Jelly Roll a hundred percent, and Morgan (Wallen).”

The bell-bottomed wearing singer also touched on the importance of female representation in the category:

“It had been a long time since a girl had won Entertainer of the Year for CMAs, and it’s crazy to think about that. That should not be the case…There’s so many folks who’ve done it, so I can do it.”

Lainey Wilson accepts the Entertainer of the Year award from Keith Urban onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on November 8, 2023. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson accepts the Entertainer of the Year award at The 57th Annual CMA Awards on November 8, 2023. Photo: Christopher Polk / Variety via Getty Images

Miranda Lambert also recently shared her pick on who should win. As a CMA powerhouse with 14 wins and multiple Entertainer of the Year nods, her opinion on this year’s top award means a lot in country music circles.

Mark Your Calendars

The 58th CMA Awards will air on November 20 at 8 PM ET on ABC. With Lainey Wilson joining as the third host this year, it promises to be an unforgettable night of country music excellence.